Apprenticeship Focus – Case Study
Apprenticeships are work-based training programmes, designed to create a real impact for both learners and employers
Programmes are developed to boost the skillsets of teams across diverse roles and sectors, equipping them with the tolls and hands-on experience needed to thrive in a specific career.
Benefits of Apprenticeships with GEM Partnership:
- We offer a free recruitment service, meaning our team of experts will source the best fit for the role and your business
- An apprenticeship is a great opportunity to attract new talent and futureproof your workforce
- Each apprenticeship programme has been designed by industry employer-led “trailblazer” groups to fully meet employer needs and ensures learners develop industry leading skills
- Apprenticeships can help businesses diversify their workforce and promote social mobility. They can also help businesses reflect the diversity of their communities
- Apprenticeships are a cost effective strategy for upskilling your workforce. If you’re a levy payer, you’re already paying towards an apprenticeship programme and if you’re not, the government will subsidise the cost.
- If you’re a non-levy payer, all apprentices aged 16-21 at the start of the apprenticeship are fully funded
- Regardless of your levy status, you can save on national insurance contributions for apprentices aged 25 or under
Case Study #1 – Freya Willis
Freya joined GEM Partnership in January 2024 as an Apprentice Recruitment Resourcer working toward a Level 2 Recruitment Resourcer qualification, before moving on to Novares working within their HR department and upon completing her Recruitment Resourcer qualification has moved on to a Level 3 HR Support apprenticeship.
Speaking about her reasoning to undertake an apprenticeship and her journey so far, Freya says:
I initially undertook an apprenticeship because I wanted to gain practical experience while developing my skills in a real working environment. I wasn’t entirely sure which specific area I wanted to focus on, so the hands-on learning approach of an apprenticeship really appealed to me. Being immersed in the day-to-day tasks gave me a clearer understanding of the work involved, the expectations, and the opportunities available. Over time, this experience helped me discover what I was most passionate about and what I wanted to specialize in moving forward. It gave me both the confidence and clarity to make informed decisions about my future career path.
The transition from a recruitment role to a more HR-focused role has been both rewarding and eye-opening. While recruitment gave me a strong foundation in candidate assessment and communication, moving into HR has broadened my understanding of employee relations, compliance, onboarding, and overall people management. The learning I’ve done so far—whether through formal training or on-the-job experience—has been incredibly beneficial. It’s helped me see how recruitment fits into the bigger picture of the employee lifecycle and organizational strategy. This broader perspective has improved my ability to support both employees and the business more effectively, and it’s made me even more confident in my long-term interest in pursuing a well-rounded HR career.
My long-term goals in relation to undertaking apprenticeships are to successfully complete my current apprenticeship and then progress onto the Level 5 HR qualification. I see apprenticeships as a valuable pathway for continuous development, allowing me to build both practical experience and theoretical knowledge at the same time. Completing my current apprenticeship will give me a solid foundation, and moving on to Level 5 will help me deepen my expertise, take on more responsibility, and move closer to more senior roles in the future. This step-by-step progression aligns with my goal of developing a strong, well-rounded career in HR.
We also spoke to Freya’s manager, Stacey Jackson about Freya’s transition from recruitment to HR and her view on apprenticeships as a development pathway:
(Has Freya’s prior learning aided her transition) Absolutely, first of all Freya had some knowledge of our business due to her time at GEM and us being a client, in addition to this recruitment gives you practical experience, strategic insight, and essential soft skills that serve as a solid launchpad for growth into more advanced areas of HR such as training & development, organizational design, or employee engagement. It hones your ability to communicate clearly, listen actively, and negotiate offers—skills that are critical across all HR functions, from employee relations to performance management.
Apprenticeships offer a combination of practical experience and structured learning, making them highly beneficial to an individual’s personal and professional development, it gives hands on learning, the capacity to earn whilst you earn, structured career pathway.