Building Futures Through Apprenticeships: Reuben Gaude’s Journey
At Heart of England Training (HOET), we believe apprenticeships are about more than gaining a qualification — they are about building confidence, skills, and futures. For Reuben Gaude, completing his Teaching Assistant Level 3 Apprenticeship has been a rewarding step in his professional journey, and one that has also brought clear benefits to his employer, Ash Lea School.
Choosing the Apprenticeship Route
When asked why he chose the apprenticeship route, Reuben was clear about his motivation:
“I chose an apprenticeship to build and support my professional development, and to gain comprehensive knowledge about my roles and responsibilities in the workplace.”
For Reuben, the apprenticeship provided a balance between hands-on learning and structured study. It offered the opportunity to apply knowledge directly in his role, while receiving the support and guidance needed to develop professionally.
Training and Support with HOET
Reuben highlighted the outstanding support provided by his HOET educator as one of the most valuable aspects of his training.
“What stood out most during my training was the all-round support I got from my educator starting from day one. They were always there to guide me whenever I needed help, whether it was access to different learning resources or constructive feedback.”
This personalised approach, which combines one-to-one guidance with access to a range of resources, is a hallmark of the apprenticeship experience at HOET. It ensures learners are supported at every stage, helping them to grow in confidence and competence.
Employer Perspective: Upskilling the Workforce
Reuben’s manager, Caroline Morrison, is equally positive about the experience of taking on an apprentice. At Ash Lea School, professional development is built into the culture of recruitment, with staff encouraged to pursue qualifications alongside their work.
Caroline explained:
“We encourage our staff to actively participate in continuing professional development, and we offer the opportunity to study for a Level 3 qualification as part of our recruitment process. This helps our staff to have current knowledge within their role, and develop their skills and interests across all areas.”
Working with HOET has been a straightforward and rewarding experience for the school.
“Heart of England Training have been extremely supportive to both myself and the apprentices in the school. Fay is an amazing educator, and we love it when she comes into the school.”
For employers, apprenticeships are not just about supporting staff — they are a valuable way of upskilling the workforce and strengthening the knowledge base within the team. As Caroline put it:
“The apprenticeships allow us to upskill our workforce and ensure that our teaching assistants have a secure knowledge base and skill set to allow them to work efficiently in their role, and also gives them the opportunity to work to their full potential.”
The Benefits of Apprenticeships
For Reuben, the apprenticeship has been directly beneficial to his role and has equipped him with the skills and confidence to thrive. When asked if he would recommend an apprenticeship, his response was simple:
“Yes, I will.”
He also offered advice to those considering an apprenticeship:
“Be open-minded and be willing to sacrifice personal time towards your training, especially in areas of research.”
For employers like Ash Lea School, apprenticeships provide a sustainable way to develop staff, embed best practice, and create an engaged workforce.
A Trusted Apprenticeship Provider
Reuben’s journey is just one example of how HOET continues to deliver high-quality apprenticeships in education. By working closely with learners and employers, HOET ensures that apprenticeships deliver value at every level — empowering individuals and strengthening organisations.
Whether you are a school looking to upskill your teaching assistants or an individual seeking to develop your career through an apprenticeship, HOET provides the expertise, support, and guidance to help you succeed.
