Former apprentices share success stories | News

February 2025

鈥楶otato Queen鈥� and a hospital sister 鈥� former apprentices share success stories to mark National Apprenticeship Week

By Claire Huggins

Share post:

Read time: approx 1 mins

Former 蜜桃传媒 apprentices who went onto incredible careers shared their stories at an employer-focused event for this year鈥檚 National Apprenticeship Week (10-14 February).

Alumni Sister Amy Rogers, who completed a Registered Nursing degree apprenticeship, and self-proclaimed 鈥楶otato Queen鈥�, TV chef and author Poppy O鈥橳oole, a former professional cookery apprentice, were stars of the show at the lunch at the University鈥檚 Restaurant at Birmingham College of Food.

The event hosted a range of employers from across the sectors, as well as members of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and university colleagues.

Vice-Chancellor Michael Harkin鈥檚 welcome speech was quick to respond to the government鈥檚 announcement that morning of significant changes to how apprenticeships work.

鈥淲e鈥檙e delighted that government are listening to universities and employers 鈥� the new plans are great, and they address a number of key points,鈥� he said.

鈥淓mployers have been given more flexibility on how they incorporate the maths and English GSCE requirement, we鈥檙e happy to help them frame that to better suit their business. And the reduction in the duration of some apprenticeships from 12 to eight months makes a lot of sense and will accelerate progress in key sectors such as construction and healthcare.

鈥淭hese changes bode well for the future, and we look forward to working with apprenticeship providers of all sizes.鈥�

Former professional cookery apprentice Poppy O'Toole

Also speaking at the event, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce CEO Henrietta Brealey echoed 蜜桃传媒鈥檚 support for regional businesses:聽

鈥淓mployers tell us that sourcing and recruiting talent is tough and they recognise the gaps in their knowledge of the post-16 education landscape,鈥� she said.聽

鈥淏ut we also know that apprenticeships offer a huge range of qualifications and through this route, bring opportunities for both individuals and businesses.聽

鈥溍厶掖� plays a key role in simplifying a complex system - supporting employers to find the right skills and the right people for their needs.聽

鈥淗iring an apprentice is an investment in time and people, but the benefits to the business are impressive; loyalty, staff development, the skills to grow your business and an injection of new ideas.聽

鈥淭alent is the backbone of our success: the right people, with the right skills and the right mindset and 蜜桃传媒 are here to help navigate the pathway to get the right support in place.鈥澛�

Sharing her story and apprenticeship journey, Amy said: 鈥淭he main reason I am so passionate about apprenticeships is because they level the playing field.

鈥淚 come from a single-parent family, in a deprived area of Birmingham,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 am an older student and the first in my family to access higher education- apprenticeships are what helped me overcome these barriers.

鈥淏y widening access through apprenticeships you鈥檙e providing access to opportunities that help ensure the very best people are put into the right roles.

鈥淚 truly believe that over the next few years, we鈥檒l see a 蜜桃传媒 nursing apprenticeship student become the next Chief Nursing Officer.

鈥淭he team at 蜜桃传媒 do an amazing job of supporting the students, giving them the key to open doors that may otherwise have been locked to them, helping them realise their potential."

鈥淔or anyone who is more of a hands-on learner, apprenticeships are the only way forward,鈥� added Poppy, whose apprenticeship earned her a C&G Level 3 Certificate in Hospitality and Catering Principles qualification.

鈥淲ithout the chance to work in a Michelin-star restaurant, I would not be where I am today, it opened so many doors for me.

鈥淚鈥檓 a very visual learner, I wasn鈥檛 very good at school, but I can definitely cook. So for me, an apprenticeship was one of the best ways to start learning how to thrive in a high pressure environment, hone your skills and build relationships with other chefs and mentors.

鈥淎n apprenticeship gives you the skills and confidence to move to the next level, without it, I wouldn鈥檛 have been able to move on to do some amazing things.

鈥淭hank you for the opportunity, 蜜桃传媒!鈥�.

Find out more about offering or applying for a 蜜桃传媒 apprenticeship.