When you’re working in a busy central team, the ability to plan, prioritise and communicate clearly can make all the difference. For Laura Shawcross, completing a Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship while working at The Challenge Academy Trust (TCAT) has strengthened exactly those skills — and made a real impact for both Laura and her employer.
This story brings together Laura’s own experience as an apprentice and feedback from her line manager, Melissa St. Clair, showing how apprenticeships support professional development in a practical, structured way.
Why Laura chose a Business Administration apprenticeship
Laura chose the apprenticeship route because she wanted something practical — not just theory, but learning she could apply immediately in a real working environment, while gaining a recognised qualification at the same time.
“I chose an apprenticeship because I wanted real experience in a business environment as well as gaining a qualification in the process.”
For Laura, it also felt like the right option for building confidence while still being supported in her role.
“It felt like the best way to learn practical skills while building my confidence on the job.”
Support, learning style and regular check-ins
A strong apprenticeship experience depends on support that’s consistent and accessible — and for Laura, this was a standout part of her programme. She describes her experience with HOET as positive throughout, with support available whenever she needed it.
“My Educator was supportive throughout the entire journey and was always available to answer any questions, whether by email or during our regular 1to1 Teams meetings.”
Laura also valued the quality of feedback she received during the apprenticeship, explaining that it helped her do more than simply complete work — it supported her understanding and encouraged real growth.
“The feedback I received was consistently detailed and constructive, which really helped me deepen my understanding.”
From the employer perspective, Melissa also described the programme as accessible and well-supported, noting the learning platform was easy to use during progress reviews and helped make the process straightforward to engage with alongside day-to-day responsibilities.
Workplace skills that show up every day
Laura highlights that one of the biggest benefits of the apprenticeship was how directly it supported her role. Not only did she gain new skills, but she also began to feel more confident in applying them day-to-day and understanding how her work links to wider organisational goals.
“It’s helped me understand the bigger picture of what I do daytoday, strengthened my confidence, and given me practical skills that I can apply straight away in my work.”
Melissa’s feedback echoes this impact. She explains that Laura plays a key role within the Trust’s Central Team and continues to develop a wide-ranging skillset that supports colleagues across different areas of the organisation.
“Laura is extremely organised and I see Laura apply the skills learnt on the apprenticeship on a daily basis.”
Melissa also highlighted several strengths that have become increasingly valuable within the workplace, including meticulous planning, effective time management, strong communication, prioritising tasks effectively, building confidence, and using IT platforms efficiently. These are exactly the kinds of transferable skills that help teams operate smoothly — especially in fast-paced environments where organisation and clarity matter.
A success story: planning and delivering an ITT Recruitment event
A clear example of Laura’s development in action was her role in planning and delivering an ITT Recruitment event, which Melissa described as a success. She also linked Laura’s progress to increased confidence — an important outcome that often supports people to take on bigger responsibilities and contribute more independently.
“Laura planned and delivered an ITT Recruitment event which was a success and I think this course gave Laura additional confidence.”
Advice for future apprentices
Laura is clear in her recommendation: apprenticeships offer real-world development that goes beyond what a classroom can provide. She describes the learning as grounded in the workplace and shaped by people with day-to-day experience of the role.
“An apprenticeship is one of the best ways to grow your skills while actually working in the real world.”
“You learn from people who do the job every day, and you come out with experience and confidence you can’t get from a classroom alone.”
She also describes her own journey as supportive, hands-on and focused on genuine development.
“My apprenticeship … has been supportive, handson, and genuinely focused on helping me grow.”
Melissa also praised the overall experience from an employer point of view, highlighting the personalised approach, regular check-ins and accessible resources that supported Laura’s progress.
Enquire about a Business Administration apprenticeship
Laura’s journey shows how a Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship can strengthen confidence, improve key workplace skills, and support meaningful contribution within a team.
If you’re looking to develop your staff — or you’re considering an apprenticeship as a route into progression and recognised qualifications — enquire about our Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship today.
