International Women’s Day: Celebrating the work of our female apprentices
Posted on: 7th Mar 2025
Ignite News 
It’s International Women’s Day – an opportunity to shine a light on the positive contributions women make to society and their achievements.
At Ignite Training, we’re not short of inspirational stories from our partner employers and apprentices who go the extra mile to invest in the development of teams and individuals to create a thriving work environment.
From as far south as Devon to Yorkshire’s rolling countryside, we never fail to be amazed by the progress those we work with make.
To celebrate International Women’s Day, we caught up with Millie Piddock from The Albion Foundation.
Millie is studying a Level 4 Sports Coaching qualification and shared with us why studying an apprenticeship to realise her ambition of becoming a qualified sports coach was the right pathway for her.
Finding her passion
Millie’s apprenticeship with The Albion Foundation isn’t the first she has studied.
Last year, she enrolled onto an engineering apprenticeship but after realising the industry wasn’t for her, she linked up with the charity of West Bromwich Albion FC – a club she has supported since her childhood.
Her Level 4 programme is equivalent to the first year of a bachelor’s degree, with the option to study a Level 6 qualification upon completion or enrol to university.
“I love the job,” said Millie. “I’m a big Baggies fan, which helps, and no two days are the same.
“We’re coaching in a whole range of environments with different age groups and personalities – giving me experience you just can’t match in the classroom.”
Personal development
At the heart of every apprenticeship is the learner.
But while a vocational qualification helps the student to develop skills essential to their present job role, there is a wider benefit to the employer too.
Government research has found employers which invest in apprenticeships improve productivity, boost staff morale and enhance the quality of the service they provide.
Millie added: “I’m constantly learning from my colleagues by shadowing sessions, and each week I’ll take a session on my own.
“I can feel my confidence and knowledge building every week with their support.”
Inspiring the next generation
Despite not achieving her dream of playing professionally, Millie is as determined as ever to make a success of a career in coaching.
According to UK coaching, just over a third (38 per cent) of coaches in the UK are female – that drops even further to 20 per cent for Olympic and Paralympic sports.
Millie hopes her story this International Women’s Day can inspire more girls with an enthusiasm for sport to consider an apprenticeship to ignite either their careers or changing job roles.
“There are so many opportunities available now,” said Millie. “Women’s sport has thrived in recent years, and I hope my work can help to inspire the next generation.
“For anyone considering beginning an apprenticeship this year, I’d say go for it. You’ve got nothing to lose – and that applies to senior staff too. A lot of my senior colleagues study an apprenticeship too and they can only speak positively about their experience.”
