Each year, we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week by chatting with colleagues who have decided to embrace a challenge. Our charity offers a wide range of different apprenticeships, all of which are official. Doing an apprenticeship can have a real, positive impact on the individual doing it, their workplace, and their worldview. Learning is always a good thing!
Thanks for answering our questions, Richard!
“This is my first role in the care industry, so I wanted to broaden my knowledge and really understand what high‑quality care looks like.” When offered a choice between a Level 2 or Level 3 apprenticeship, he chose the more advanced route. “I decided to go for Level 3 with my manager’s encouragement.”
Learning and growing
Since starting the course, Richard has discovered new areas of knowledge that have strengthened his confidence at work.
“I’ve learned so much already—including really specific areas, like diabetes care. The course has definitely helped grow my confidence and my overall knowledge base.”
One part of the course that stayed with him was learning about the scale of modern slavery: “I was surprised by how prevalent modern slavery still is.”
Balancing work and study
Richard says the apprenticeship has been manageable thanks to the structure and support in place.
“I can balance study time because I have paid study hours rotated into my work week. That’s made such a big difference.”
A Realisation: It’s never too late
Starting his apprenticeship at age 32, Richard wanted to remind others that career development isn’t limited by age.
“The apprenticeship made me realise that career advancement isn’t beyond me just because I came to the career a bit later in life.”
Richard’s advice to others
“If someone is thinking about an apprenticeship later in life—and your company offers it at your current rate of pay—there’s no reason not to go for it.
And if you’re younger and can support yourself on the apprenticeship wage, it’s a great way to kick‑start a career.”
He adds one final reflection: “The only thing I wish I’d known before starting is how open the trainers are to you finding your own best method of study—as long as you can show you’ve learned.”
Richard’s story is a fantastic reminder that learning is lifelong—and that with support, the right environment, and a willingness to grow, anyone can build a rewarding career in care.
