Apprentice stories

No one thinks you can retrain for a new career in your fifties. I'd worked in an office for 30 years and I just wanted to do something that I felt fulfilled me and was worthwhile. I applied for the apprenticeship at Cromer Hospital. I always wanted to be a nurse. I was amazed when I got the job, I was just so happy. Going back to college, that was something else, I was quite surprised actually how well I got on with the youngsters. Duncan was there for me he supported me in going for the apprenticeship. He's seen how happy I am and I think he's proud of me and proud of what I achieved. The apprenticeship scheme gave me the opportunity to fulfil my dream. It takes some guts to change career at that age. I'm living proof that you can.

I started a University degree but it wasn't for me. What I really wanted to do was working social media. My mom told me about an apprenticeship at Channel 4. I looked into it and thought this looks perfect for me. There was a really tough selection day but it worked out for me and I got the apprenticeship.

As an apprentice I learnt all about the Channel 4 brand, video editing skills and posting about new shows on Facebook and Twitter. I spent one day a week on college work but most of the training was on the job.

I'm now a social media executive and I'm mentoring the next generation of apprentices. I've done so much and met so many cool people. Earning my own money is one of the best things about being an apprentice. I can contribute at home do I want with my mates and take good care of myself, obviously. It was a big move to start an apprenticeship, but the best decision I've ever made.

Our scheme started in 2007 and we had two apprentices in that year. There were at the time of degree courses that should have fed us students but they actually were not setting the young people up to spend 8 hours a day using craft as a trade.

They spent two or three years with us learning every day on the job and their training is by and large totally relevant to the job they want to do. So, one of the other great things about the apprenticeships is they've enabled us to start to attract a more diverse workforce. I know that the managers really enjoy having in a very young perspective.

In terms of managing our levy spend we use the online digital apprenticeship service account, which is unbelievably simple and straightforward. Really, with the training providers you need to think of yourself as a customer and know what you want and be not afraid to ask for what you want. This summer we'll see our 50th apprentice graduate from our scheme we are all incredibly proud of the scheme and I think it's become a totally integral part of working at the Opera House.

My mum actually found the apprenticeship vacancy at Robert Welch designs. I wasn't a hundred percent sure what I wanted to do after six for most my friends were going to Uni. I wanted to get out of the mindset of full-time education. I was eager to get my foot on the career ladder as soon as possible.

I was their first ever apprentice. My Apprenticeship involved a placement scheme rotated around the company in each and every department. Three departments offered me full-time roles. I chose the Operations role Sales Administrator my parents knew I was capable of going to university but they see me doing well and what I'm doing I think they're really proud.

My mum still reminds me that she was the one that found my apprenticeship. I'd like to be earning six figures by the time I'm 30 and that's the beauty of starting young, it's all possible.