It’s National Apprenticeship Week 2025, and we’ve been chatting to apprentices in our charity. It’s great to hear that so many have chosen to upskill, and want to find out what’s motivated them! Today, we’re speaking with Kristieanne, our YOU Counselling Team Manager. She’s just passed her final exam and has achieved her Operational Departmental Management Level 5 Apprenticeship, congratulations!
Thank you for sharing your story with us, Kristieanne!
Growth and challenges
I’ve been with the YOU Trust since 2021, when I started as a single point of contact (SPOC) in the Counselling team. Over a year later, in March 2022, I stepped into my role as a Team Manager. In July 2023, I decided to do an Operational Departmental Management Level 5 Apprenticeship.
Over the past four years, I’ve truly grown into myself at the charity and the apprenticeship has been a fantastic experience. It was hard sometimes to fit in working my Team Manager role, being a mum, and my studies. But it was completely worthwhile now that I have finished. My manager always gave me time to study and work on assignments, and I was always supported by the Learning Team.
Over the years our service has been through many changes. Like when new contracts took place it was very busy, so I took a short break from the apprenticeship. However, my tutor at Fairport and our Learning Team in the charity supported me through this.
Learning and development
The learning I completed helped build my confidence and skills to be a stronger, more effective leader for our team. Through studying self-management, leading others, decision-making, operational and project management, finance, budgeting, and managing people, I’ve gained invaluable insights. I’ve deepened my understanding of equality and diversity and strengthened my ability to communicate and build relationships. Not only within my team, but also with external agencies and organisations.
Apprenticeship reflections and achievements
Before this journey, I felt capable in my role, with a solid understanding of the sector. But reflecting back on these 18 months, and looking through my portfolio, I now see how much I’ve grown. In both knowledge, and in confidence. I have a far greater appreciation for the business side of my role and a renewed sense of conviction in my abilities.
Completing my portfolio of evidence, delivering a presentation for a new project, and engaging in a professional discussion for my end-point assessment were moments of challenge and pride. I was surprised by how much I had learned and taken in along the way. I am very proud to say that I passed my end-point assessment and portfolio of evidence with distinction!
This journey has been transformative, and I am grateful for the support and opportunities provided by my manager, the Learning Team, and my tutor. I look forward to applying my newfound skills and knowledge to continue growing and leading effectively within the organisation.
