James’s Journey: Changing Careers with an Apprenticeship
When James Watterson made the bold decision to switch careers at 50, he knew he had valuable transferable skills—but also recognised the need to upskill in order to thrive on his new professional path. That’s when he discovered the Associate Project Manager apprenticeship at Christian Aid with ourselves providing the education side.
Learning That Works on the Job
What stood out most for James was the direct application of learning to the workplace.
“I enjoyed the teaching days,” he said, “but the best aspect of the apprenticeship was being able to apply my new knowledge to the projects I was managing.”
The combination of academic insight and hands-on experience is what makes apprenticeships such a powerful tool for career development—something James believes in strongly.
Supportive and Responsive Training
Training with HOET was a seamless and positive experience for James.
“The process was communicated clearly, my educators were always helpful and responsive when I reached out with a question,” he said.
That level of support made balancing the demands of work and study much more manageable, even as a mature learner.
Advice for Future Apprentices
James doesn’t sugar-coat the commitment involved:
“It’s a significant time commitment so be sure you are ready to take that on,” he advises. But, it’s well worth it. “If an apprenticeship is going to help you meet your career goals, go for it.”
An Alternative Route with Real Impact
Reflecting on his journey, James sees his apprenticeship as a valuable addition to his academic qualifications.
“It provided me with a new skill set and knowledge that is useful in my work. I would recommend apprenticeships to anyone who wants a qualification with a focus on applying new skills and knowledge in the workplace.”
