When Ilona began her new role within Children’s and Young People’s Services at the NHS, she also took the first step on her leadership development journey by enrolling on our Level 3 Team Leader Apprenticeship.
Starting a new job while undertaking a qualification is a significant commitment, and although she was motivated to learn, Ilona was realistic about the challenge ahead. “I was excited,” she explained, “however also slightly worried about how I would manage to juggle my full-time role alongside the apprenticeship.”
One of the first benefits Ilona noticed was how relevant the content was to her day-to-day responsibilities. The structure of the programme enabled her to make direct links between what she was learning and the real-life situations she was encountering at work. “I was able to use my study knowledge within my role, which helped me to settle in quicker and support my team,” she said.
Having dedicated study time each week made it easier to stay organised and focused. Ilona described our learning platform as “fantastic and very easy to navigate” and found that the programme supported her to stay on top of assignments while developing new skills at a manageable pace.
A key factor in Ilona’s success was the one-to-one support she received from her tutor, Steven. His encouragement and regular feedback played a vital role in helping her stay motivated and make consistent progress throughout the course. “I truly believe Steven was the reason I managed to juggle it all, stay consistent, and complete all my coursework in time,” she said. “He provided continuous feedback and guided me through various challenges while keeping me on track and staying positive.”
Although Ilona initially felt nervous about completing her Functional Skills Level 2 qualification, she tackled the challenge with growing confidence, supported every step of the way by Steven’s reassurance and guidance. “He once again reassured me that I was more than capable to complete it all in time – and he was right. I have passed all exams and gained my Functional Skills certificate.”
Completing the apprenticeship marked a turning point in Ilona’s career. Alongside gaining a nationally recognised qualification, she also developed the confidence to explore new opportunities within the NHS. With the knowledge and skills she had built, she felt ready to take the next step. “Once I achieved my certificate, I was confident enough to apply for a higher position,” she said. “I was eager to use my gained knowledge and confidence to grow – and I have been successful.”
Reflecting on her overall experience, Ilona spoke about the long-term impact the apprenticeship had, both personally and professionally. It pushed her to step outside her comfort zone, strengthened her communication and leadership abilities, and gave her the tools to continue growing. “Despite all challenges, I really enjoyed the apprenticeship,” she summarised. “It allowed me to expand my personal and professional development. I was able to apply my knowledge confidently and continued to learn and grow.”
Now that her Level 3 apprenticeship is complete, Ilona is preparing to progress onto the Level 5 Operational Manager Apprenticeship to continue building her leadership capabilities – and has already requested to continue working with Steven. “There is an opportunity to continue my studies, which I’m looking forward to – and I definitely will be requesting Steven to be my tutor again!”
We’re incredibly proud of everything Ilona has achieved so far. Her dedication, resilience and enthusiasm for learning have been clear throughout her journey, and we look forward to supporting her as she progresses onto the next stage of her career.