Apprenticeships Aren’t Just for Young People –  Sarah Jane’s story

When someone mentions an apprenticeship, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

For many people, it’s a school leaver taking their first steps into the world of work. That was certainly my perception for a long time. I never imagined I’d become an apprentice after already having a degree and starting my career.

Life, however, doesn’t always follow the path we expect.

After university where I studied Law and Criminology, I began working in a personal injury law firm. Then everything changed. My mum suffered a major stroke which affected not only her mobility but also her ability to speak. She understood everything that was said to her, I’d even throw in a joke every now and then to make sure she was listening, but when she spoke the words simply wouldn’t come out how they used to.

My sister was completing her PhD, so I made the decision to move home and become Mum’s full-time carer. It wasn’t a difficult decision, she had always been an incredible mum to us, and I wanted to be there for her.

Over those next ten years, I managed a team of carers, coordinated with doctors and healthcare professionals, managed finances, organised rotas and supported every aspect of Mum’s daily life. They were some of the hardest years of my life, but also some of the most rewarding. I learnt resilience, leadership, communication, problem-solving and organisation, patience too, skills that have stayed with me ever since.

When Mum sadly passed away, I found myself needing to rebuild my own career.

I quickly realised that while I could see everything those ten years had taught me, employers often just saw a ten-year gap on my CV.

That’s when I started looking at apprenticeships.

I needed to earn while I learnt, and I wanted an opportunity to prove what I could do. I was fortunate enough to secure a Business Administration apprenticeship with East Sussex County Council, and it completely changed the direction of my career.

I completed my apprenticeship ahead of schedule, moved into a Work Experience Officer role with the Employment and Skills team at East Sussex County Council, supporting young people to find placements that matched their ambitions, and more recently became an Employer Engagement Officer. Now I have the privilege of talking to employers every day about apprenticeships and the many other ways we can support them with recruitment and skills needs.

Ironically, I now spend a lot of time challenging one of the biggest myths I once believed myself, that apprenticeships are only for young people.

They’re not.

Apprenticeships can be an incredible route for career changers, parents returning to work, former carers, people looking to upskill, or anyone ready for a fresh start. Sometimes the best candidate isn’t the one with the most straightforward CV, but the one whose life has given them resilience, determination and a unique perspective.

From an employer’s point of view, that’s something worth thinking about.

Taking on an apprentice isn’t just about filling a vacancy. It’s about investing in people. Whether you’re recruiting someone new or helping an existing employee develop their skills, apprenticeships show your workforce that learning and progression matter. That investment can then have a real impact on wellbeing, confidence and staff retention, because people are more likely to stay where they feel valued and supported.

Looking back, I don’t think my apprenticeship simply helped me get back into work. It gave me confidence when I’d lost it, opened doors I didn’t think were still available and reminded me that careers don’t have to follow a straight line.

I’m incredibly grateful that someone looked beyond the gap on my CV and saw my potential instead. You never know where an apprenticeship might lead. I certainly didn’t. But thanks to one opportunity, I found a career I genuinely love, and an employer I’m proud to work for.

As part of a workplace wellbeing strategy, creating opportunities for people to learn, grow and return to meaningful employment can have a lasting impact, not just on the individual, but on the culture of the whole organisation too.

If you’re thinking about taking on an apprentice but aren’t sure where to start, we’d be happy to help. Our team offers free, impartial advice on choosing the right apprenticeship, finding the best training provider for your business and understanding any funding that may be available. If you’d like to find out more, please get in touch at employersupport@eastsussex.gov.uk.

You never know whose life an apprenticeship could change, or how much they might change your organisation in return.