National Apprenticeship Week: ‘I’m in my 50s, here’s why studying an apprenticeship is important to me’
Posted on: 13th Feb 2025
Apprenticeships 
Susan Hill of Oxfordshire Youth explains why she decided to begin an apprenticeship in her 50s and the impact training has had on her ability to lead teams with confidence
My career started more than three decades ago, yet here I am in 2025 aged 54 nearing the conclusion of my first apprenticeship programme.
I’ve been a support worker, child minder, fosterer, after school and holiday club manager and a progression coach in my present role with Oxfordshire Youth. Like everyone, through my career I’ve become accustomed to working with people of all ages, personalities and skills.
Studying an apprenticeship wasn’t something I had given much thought to before enrolling onto Ignite Training’s Level 5 Operations Manager programme.
Me? An apprenticeship in management? In my 50s?
Deciding to enrol went against every common stereotype attached to apprenticeships such as they’re only for young people beginning their career in particular sectors.
But as my end point assessment inches closer, I can confidently say my first experience studying an apprenticeship went above and beyond expectations. So much so that following completion of my Level 5, I’m going to consider my options and look at beginning a Level 7 programme.
As a progression coach, my core responsibility is to make sure our delivery team on the ground are happy and can complete tasks they are set to the best of their ability – with a bit of admin and upskilling added in too.
Being in full-time employment for more than 30 years, you naturally build skills relevant to your role on the job. But that’s not to say you can’t add to your skillsets and keep on top of current industry trends so you – and subsequently your colleagues – can enhance the services you provide.
I knew I could manage, and I knew I could lead a team. But there were knowledge gaps – gaps which could be addressed by studying the apprenticeship I’m working through now.
For Oxfordshire Youth to see this and invest in my potential as an employee is not something which goes amiss and having the opportunity to develop myself personally and professionally is genuinely rewarding.
There are challenges combining a senior role with an apprenticeship. I know many of my colleagues fit submitting their portfolio evidence around their working hours, but personally I need to disconnect from work and choose to complete tasks in the evenings and occasional weekend.
My tutor Zoe (Monk, Ignite Training’s Leadership and Management Coach) has been fantastic – meeting her fortnightly has been a real game-changer.
Contents on my apprenticeship have without doubt provided me with confidence knowing I have the right skills to handle positive and difficult conversations and be a genuine leader.
The benefits aren’t confined to myself, though.
I’d like to think my entire team has noticed a shift in how we operate, and everyone understands the processes in place and are aware of what’s required of them in their role – all while creating a positive working environment where they themselves can progress too.
I’m better educated, I’m more aware, I’m confident leading my team and making decisions with clarity. If you’re in your 50s and questioning how studying an apprenticeship can help you, the only way to find out is by throwing yourself into it!
Susan Hill, YPSA Manager at Oxfordshire Youth.
