Helen, who is a mother of four, decided to enrol on a degree apprenticeship after she hit “a ceiling” in terms of career development. Not having a degree qualification limited Helen’s opportunities of professional growth and the Senior Leader Apprenticeship offered her a chance to focus on strategic decision making, a key skill for her current role. Upon completing the apprenticeship, Helen became more confident in adopting strategic methods of problem solving, engaging with stakeholders and taking the pressure off other colleagues, which has significantly benefitted her team.

Helen said: “The apprenticeship has empowered me to believe in myself and my understanding of situations. I’m more solutions-focused and confident in communicating my approach, testing that out with other colleagues rather than feeling I have to lean on them. Doing it at Leeds Trinity was fantastic because I love it there. I love the Learning Hub and the staff have all been approachable and supportive, especially with building my portfolio.”

Soon after starting the apprenticeship, 46-year-old Helen discovered she had dyslexia, through a University assessment. This allowed her to implement dyslexia-friendly learning methods with the support of the Disability Team at Leeds Trinity, setting her up for success.

Helen said: “That was huge for me, it was a real awakening. It explained a lot of things that had gone on in terms of my academic performance previously. Writing the portfolio, which is a very complex piece of work, was a big achievement for me. I read it now and I can’t believe I wrote it. I think that really captures my development and I can see it in documents that I produce for work. I am now confident in my writing and how I present it.”

Darren Minton, Safeguarding Partnership Business Manager at Bradford Council, said: “The benefits Helen gained from the apprenticeship have made a difference to me as a line manager but also to the broader partnership. Nothing seems to faze Helen; she became so good at problem solving with a calm demeanour. Helen is now more strategic in her approach and has blossomed into a great leader in the work that she’s doing and at personal level, managing her family.”

Working full time, doing a degree apprenticeship and looking after her family was “hard work”, but Helen enjoyed involving her children with her learning.

She said: “The children were my encouragement. I could share things with them and ask for their opinion and I really enjoyed that it was a shared experience. I was and still am committed as a lifelong learner. It’s like everything in life – if you want to do it, you’ll find a way for it to happen. And if that means implementing some lifestyle changes for a short period of time, then that’s what it takes.”

Now, Helen is supporting other colleagues through their apprenticeships, motivated by the benefits of her own experience. From an employer’s perspective, Darren recognises the impact an apprenticeship can have on the wider team, department and organisation, and encourages other managers to support their colleagues to take this route too.

Darren said: “We already have a second person on another apprenticeship at Leeds Trinity. It brings a lot of benefits to the workplace. They can translate the academic side of things to practical responses and solutions, being innovative and progressive. I would absolutely advise other employers to support their colleagues through an apprenticeship. Helen just goes from strength to strength and constantly comes up with new ideas around doing things differently when it’s not working.”

Helen has been with Bradford Council for nearly 21 years, doing different roles within the local authority, mainly working with children, young people and families in crisis. She’s been in her current job for five years, which she feels “very privileged” to do.

To find out more about the Senior Leader Apprenticeship at Leeds Trinity University, visit the website.