Spotlight on Success: Leah Bolton’s Apprenticeship Journey at Dunlop Oil and Marine
Apprenticeships provide a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience whilst learning, and for Leah Bolton, this was the perfect route to launch her career in project management. Working at Dunlop Oil and Marine, Leah shares her apprenticeship journey of undertaking an apprenticeship with Heart of England Training (HOET) and how it has shaped her professional growth.
A Pathway to Associate Project Management Level 4
Having previously completed an apprenticeship, Leah was already familiar with the structure and benefits of work-based learning. She recognised that project management is a highly practical career and believed that an apprenticeship would offer the ideal balance between real-world experience and theoretical knowledge.
“An apprenticeship is a great way to gain hands-on experience whilst learning. Since I had already done an apprenticeship before, I knew how they were structured and felt that this would be a great option to start my career in project management. It’s a very hands-on profession, and I knew that this route would allow me to understand real-life projects whilst building my knowledge with HOET,” Leah explains.
The Best of Both Worlds
For Leah, the most rewarding part of her apprenticeship journey has been the opportunity to gain real-life work experience whilst learning a profession.
“I’ve really enjoyed receiving guidance from experienced professionals, getting to know new people, and progressing in my career. The mix of on-the-job learning and structured training has been invaluable,” she says.
Training with Heart of England Training
Leah praises the support she has received from HOET throughout her apprenticeship journey, particularly from her educator, Charlotte Coulson.
“My training with HOET has been amazing. From start to finish, my tutor Charlotte has been incredibly supportive and encouraging. She has been with me every step of the way. The training days provided as part of the course were well-structured, and I took so much away from them.”
Advice for Future Apprentices
Leah strongly encourages others to consider an apprenticeship as a stepping stone to career success.
“Absolutely go for it! It’s the best of both worlds—you can learn whilst gaining essential real-life experience to help you progress further in your career.”
Educator’s Perspective
Leah’s educator, Charlotte Coulson, has witnessed her dedication and resilience throughout the apprenticeship.
“Leah has been an absolute pleasure to work with. Nothing was ever too much trouble, and she always gave 100% effort in everything she did. Throughout the apprenticeship, Leah demonstrated determination and resilience, even when challenges arose. She never let obstacles stand in her way and remained focused on her end goal. As an educator, it is truly rewarding to see an apprentice grow and achieve the outcome they deserve—and Leah certainly did.”
A Bright Future Ahead
Leah’s apprenticeship has provided her with the skills, experience, and confidence to advance in her career. Her journey highlights the power of apprenticeships in fostering professional development and opening doors to exciting opportunities.
For those considering an apprenticeship, Leah’s advice is simple: take the leap—it could be the best decision for your future!
