Business Administration Apprentice: Where Are They Now?

In 2016, Nicole Stimson started a Level 2 Business Administration apprenticeship role with South Cambridgeshire District Council, with Cambridge Regional College as the education provider. Nicole excelled in her apprenticeship, receiving a nomination for Apprentice of the Year and a commendation in the Hunts Post Awards.

Nicole progressed to the Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship and upon completion of her studies, secured a full-time position within the District Council Communications team as a Website Content Officer. 

Some years later, South Cambridgeshire District Council introduced a Management Apprenticeship scheme to their Continued Professional Development portfolio and Nicole jumped at the opportunity to further her learning and boost her career.

Nicole said, “I applied for the Management Apprenticeship and was successful. I completed the Level 3 Team Leader/ Supervisor apprenticeship with the Institute of Leadership and Management. The training and experience that I have gained has led me to where I am now. I am still at South Cambridgeshire District Council, working with the same team, but in December 2021 I was recruited into the role of Manager for the Website team. I am extremely proud of the journey I have taken and the progress I have made in my career. I wouldn’t be where I am today without apprenticeships and the support given by both the education providers and my employer.

The positive experience that I have had has made me passionate about promoting how powerful apprenticeships can be. When I was at school, apprenticeships were never mentioned, it was always about going to school, doing A levels and going to university, which is great for people who want to do that. 

For those that don’t wish to take the university route, apprenticeships are a great alternative. I don’t believe that I would have reached management level at my age if I had gone to university. I am a lot further ahead in my career than I would have been if I had taken an alternative route. I am still young, and there is plenty of time for me to consider a Higher Education, either through a university degree or a higher-level apprenticeship.”

Find out more about Apprenticeships at CRC.

Nicole will be joining the guest panel at the Apprenticeship Information Evening Q&A on Thursday 10th February so that prospective apprentices can ask questions of a former apprentice to gain a first-hand insight into the learning experience.