Apprenticeships for Leaders - 3 questions with Nicky Williams, Head of Skills at Business West

During National Apprenticeships Week 2021, Laura Ross caught up with Nicky Williams to find out about high-level apprenticeships for managers and senior leaders that can be carried out alongside their day jobs. 

1. Tell us about your Apprenticeship in Senior Leadership & Management. 

I started my apprenticeship in January 2021 in Senior Leadership and Management. It’s a Masters course over 3 years (Level 7) with the University of West of England (UWE).  

Apprenticeships are the hidden secret that very few people still understand, says Nicky.  

The study is done alongside my main job and includes blocks of training, live projects and assignments. It is a lot of work, but I wanted to consolidate my knowledge and understand the theories behind business development and develop my skills as a senior leader.  

Doing my apprenticeship with UWE was the obvious choice for me as I wanted to work with other managers and business leaders from the region. I’m lucky enough to work with other senior leaders from Wessex Water, the NHS, Avon & Somerset Police, leading Tech companies and other organisations across the region. Working with peers from varying sectors helps you to see things from a different perspective. Hearing their challenges in the workplace is helping me understand business challenges even more. 

However, there’s so many choices open to established employees looking to study and upskill alongside their job. You don’t have to study a Masters, there are lots of options across the apprenticeship offer.  

2. How are you finding the balance of working full time and studying for a Leadership Apprenticeship? 

It is a challenge and already a lot of hard work, especially with launching two new programmes at the moment!  As well as the study and assignments, I have to also develop my competence and knowledge through 20% ‘off the job learning’; this is one of the things that most people worry about – but it’s actually quite simple to do if you plan it. It’s early days but I’m finding it’s working well so far. 

Doing an apprenticeship has made me step out of my job and see things differently. It’s given me a different space to sit back and reflect from a new perspective. It’s also consolidated my view that people and skills are at the heart of every business, says Nicky. 

What advice would you give to employees thinking about studying for an apprenticeship alongside their job? 

My advice would be to think carefully about how you can work it into your job, so it doesn’t feel like extra work. You’ll have to carve out time for reading or assignments and stick to it which will need to be done outside your working hours. Be smart about how you use your time, keep a diary and document everything.  

‘It’s a myth that you’ll be absent from your role 1 day a week to do your apprenticeship – much of the 20% ‘off the job learning’ can be absorbed within your job’. 

It’s also about recognising that a lot of the work you do as a manager on a day to day basis is outside of your role. So, if you’re pulled into a discussion about say flexible working, that’s not part of your core job but think about what’s the opportunity? What can I take from this into my assignment? And in turn, what am I learning in my assignments that I can bring back to my organisation?  

3. Inspired to start your own apprenticeship? 

Anyone of any age can start an apprenticeship. The only criteria are that the subject you choose must be different to any previous degree.  Apprenticeships have come a long way in recent years, becoming occupation-focused rather than qualification-led.  

For employers, the good news is that there’s lots of options for funding with 95% of government funding for SMEs and levy transfer funds for larger organisations. It’s a fantastic way to propel your staff development, your staff retention and to plan for the future of your business. Particularly in these difficult times when looking after your staff and making sure your business is future proof are key to the survival of businesses everywhere. 

Contact us today to find out about apprenticeships and how you or your business can get involved.

Find out more Apprenticeship support and funding  

Email us: skills@businesswest.co.uk