Building confidence through apprenticeships: Mehru’s story

“I’ve gone from seeing myself as someone working in admin to seeing myself as a leader who can support others, take ownership and contribute to decisions.”

For Mehru Begum, Central Admin Supervisor at the Care Group, completing a leadership apprenticeship has given her a new perspective on her abilities and the confidence to take on greater responsibilities at work.

Mehru joined the Care Group in May 2024 and was encouraged to consider a leadership apprenticeship later that year. Coming from a teaching background and moving into a role where she was managing and supporting a small team, she saw the apprenticeship as an opportunity to develop the skills she needed to progress.

She began the Cherith Simmons Leadership apprenticeship in January 2025, completing the programme in June 2026 alongside her day-to-day role.

Initially, Mehru was concerned about balancing coursework with her day-to-day responsibilities. However, regular support from her tutor and manager, protected study time and flexibility around her learning style helped her manage both.

A key benefit of the apprenticeship was being able to apply new skills directly to her role. Learning about managing organisational change helped her approach workplace challenges more effectively, while modules on stakeholder communication strengthened her ability to contribute to discussions and work with colleagues. As her confidence grew, Mehru began taking greater ownership of projects and becoming more involved in decision-making.

“The apprenticeship has given me the confidence, experience and knowledge to deal with situations differently. I’ve gone from seeing myself as someone working in admin to seeing myself as a leader who can support others, take ownership and contribute to decisions.”

The experience has also changed how she responds to challenges. Rather than feeling overwhelmed by difficult situations, Mehru now takes time to reflect on what went well and consider how she could approach things differently in future.

Mehru encourages colleagues who are considering an apprenticeship to explore the opportunities available and speak to others who have completed a programme.

“I would recommend doing an apprenticeship. You’re learning while working, so you can use real situations from your role and put what you learn into practice straight away. The support is there, and the course can work around your learning style and your role.”

Mehru’s experience highlights how apprenticeships can support career development while allowing colleagues to continue in their existing roles. For her, the opportunity has not only helped develop her leadership skills but also changed how she sees her potential at work.

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