National Apprenticeship Week 2026
Skills for life through apprenticeship journeys
National Apprenticeship Week is a moment to focus on how apprenticeships support people across the UK. At Liberata, we see apprenticeships as a practical way of building skills that are used every day in people’s roles.
One approach across different roles
We are sharing our apprenticeship journeys from colleagues across Liberata. Each story describes how their learning supports colleagues in their roles. Whether that is building financial skills, strengthening quality and training, improving time management, or developing leadership confidence.
The outcome is not just a qualification. It is clearer judgment, greater independence, and more consistent ways of working that benefit their careers, their teams and customers.
Alannah Taylor, Finance Officer
When Alannah joined Liberata as a Finance Officer, she knew she learned best by doing. A classroom route had never suited her, and she wanted a way to build skills while working in a real role with real responsibility. An apprenticeship gave her that opportunity.
From the outset, her learning has been closely tied to her day-to-day work. She has developed practical skills in financial administration, budgeting, and managing money in a professional environment. Working alongside experienced colleagues has helped her understand not just the tasks, but the wider context of her role and how her work fits into the organisation.
One of the biggest changes Alannah has noticed is her confidence. She did not expect to be trusted with responsibility so quickly, but that trust has played a key role in her development. As her skills have grown, she has become increasingly comfortable taking ownership of tasks, managing her workload, and adapting to feedback.
Kelly Pickup, AQ Officer
Kelly started her apprenticeship as an Appeals, Quality and Training Officer. She wanted to develop her skills formally and gain a broader understanding of different areas within Liberata’s Revenues and Benefits team. The apprenticeship’s structure, combining training with on-the-job learning, suited how she works and learns best.
Through her apprenticeship, Kelly strengthened her communication skills by working with colleagues across different departments. Balancing the demands of her IRRV qualification with day-to-day responsibilities also developed her organisational and time management skills. Managing competing priorities has become a core part of how she approaches her role.
Kelly says one of the most significant changes has been her confidence. Completing the IRRV qualification helped her realise she can adapt, problem-solve, and take on responsibility more effectively than she initially expected. Kelly’s confidence allows her to manage tasks independently and respond to challenges in a structured way.
The impact has extended beyond her own role. Kelly now shares the knowledge she’s gained through delivering training sessions herself.
Robert Eastwood, Operational Support Training and Quality Coach
When Robert moved into his role as an Operational Support Training and Quality Coach, he brought strong subject knowledge and experience. What he felt he was missing was structured, skills-based development to help him be more effective in the role. That is what led him to start an apprenticeship.
A key part of Robert’s learning has been reflective practice. Rather than focusing only on completing tasks, the apprenticeship encouraged him to step back and assess what worked well, what did not, and what could be improved. This shift has helped him approach his work more deliberately and continuously develop his support for others.
One aspect that surprised Robert was how varied his role is compared to similar roles in larger organisations. Being part of a growing organisation like Liberata means working across planning, development, delivery, and analysis, and engaging with different teams. That variety has helped him understand the organisation from multiple perspectives and contribute more broadly.
Anna Tranter, Service Team Manager for Quality and Training
Anna started an apprenticeship to gain a deeper understanding of the regulations and legislation governing Revenues and Benefits, and to build the confidence to apply that knowledge clearly and consistently in her role.
As a Service Team Manager for Quality and Training, the apprenticeship has strengthened her reasoning skills. This has helped her explain decisions with greater clarity, particularly in complex areas where accuracy and understanding matter.
For Anna, one of the most noticeable changes has been her confidence. As her subject knowledge has grown, she has felt more assured in her role and more comfortable guiding others. It has enabled her to support her team more effectively, helping colleagues develop their own understanding and capability.
The wider team has benefited from this clarity and knowledge sharing. Anna’s learning has supported more consistent approaches, improved her understanding of quality and compliance, and contributed to team development.
Charley Norman, LG Team Service Manager
When Charley chose to start her apprenticeship, she was looking for more than a qualification. As an LG Team Service Manager, she wanted structured learning to strengthen her leadership approach and support her development within her role.
Through the apprenticeship, Charley has developed a deeper understanding of leadership styles and how to adapt them to different situations and teams. Learning alongside professionals from a wide range of industries showed her how transferable leadership skills can be, even in environments shaped by regulation and policy.
One of the most impactful elements of the learning was reflective practice. Structured self-assessment helped Charley view her strengths more clearly, not just gaps. That shift in perspective helped build confidence and changed how she supports her team, encouraging more balanced conversations about development and capability.
Charley says this confidence has translated into how she leads. She now approaches communication, feedback, and collaboration with greater clarity and intention. This has helped her to recognise strengths in others and supports team members to see their own value, not only areas for improvement.
Another route into work: Harry Hirdle’s story through Project Search
Apprenticeships are one pathway into learning and development, but they are not the only route. Liberata ran the Project Search programme, which supports inclusive employment by focusing on people’s strengths and the practical support needed to succeed in the workplace.
In the London Borough of Hounslow council, Harry Hirdle joined the customer services team through Project Search and has become a valued member of the team. Working in a busy reception environment, his role involves managing customer flow by identifying customers who need appointments and guiding others towards digital self-service options. This helps improve efficiency while making sure customers feel supported and understood.
Clear structure, consistency, and day-to-day support have played an important role in Harry’s development. Regular check-ins, ongoing guidance, and monthly one-to-ones with his manager, Jay Pandya, have helped create an environment where he can build confidence and take ownership of his role.
The impact has been visible in both performance and feedback. Harry’s calm, professional manner has been praised by customers, and his contribution was recently recognised by the council’s Chief Executive, who observed the reception area and personally commended his work.
Jay Pandya and Harry Hirdle
Apprenticeships help people grow
Apprenticeships allow people thrive when learning is connected to responsibility and supported day to day. Confidence grows through trust and practical experience, not theory alone. Skills build over time, and the benefits extend beyond the individual, strengthening how teams work together and how services are experienced.
National Apprenticeship Week is a reminder that development does not follow one route. What matters is creating the right structure, support, and opportunity for people to grow in ways that suit them and recognising that the impact of that growth is felt across the organisation.
