Case study

Josh sets his sights on management roles after second apprenticeship

Josh Rice is a huge advocate for apprenticeships: he’s just completed his second one while working for Derbyshire County Council. He now has his sights set on management positions and isn’t ruling out more learning.

A passion for learning and for apprenticeships

Josh says he’s “always been a fan of learning”. He loved school and then after A-levels, went on to an apprenticeship in business administration. As an experienced Management Information Assistant for Derbyshire County Council, he was considering his next career move back in 2020, and realised that to get into management, he would need further qualifications. He turned again to an apprenticeship, and began a leadership and management qualification with the University of Derby in 2021.

“I just love the ability to continue working while I’m learning,” says Josh. “It’s great being able to work the equivalent of four days a week and then focus solely on university work for the remaining time. My manager has been very supportive, enabling me to take the time I needed.”

Head and shoulders shot of Josh Rice

The apprenticeship was absolutely fantastic. I've learned an incredible amount from the tutors. They’re incredibly well-versed in what they’re teaching and really helped us to understand the material.

Josh Rice
Management Information Assistant, Derbyshire County Council

The impact it's had on Josh

Josh describes his latest apprenticeship experience as “absolutely fantastic” and says he’s learned an “incredible amount” from the tutors. “They’re incredibly well-versed in what they’re teaching and really helped us to understand the material,” adds Josh.

The result is that he now feels more confident applying for management roles when the right opportunities come up.

“There’s a lot more to management than I ever realised,” explains Josh. “The course has helped me realise this, as well as taught me everything I need to know.”

Topics that Josh found particularly useful were coaching and mentoring, and finance. “Finance was an area I was unfamiliar with. It’s really opened my eyes to the work the Finance team do, and I have a greater understanding of that area now.”

He’s also valued the contacts he’s made while on the course: “It’s been great to meet other people working at the Council, who I wouldn’t have otherwise met. My team can be quite isolated, working specifically for Children’s Services, but I now have a wide variety of contacts within the organisation.”

The impact it's had on his team

Josh’s line manager, Anne Jordan, Management Information Officer, summarises how Josh’s apprenticeship experience has also brought benefits to the wider team:

“The apprenticeship has been the perfect route for Josh to hone his leadership skills. By studying alongside working, he has been able to put what he learns into practice, developing as he progressed through the course, and keen to share what he has learned with the rest of the team.”

Next steps

Josh says he’s keeping an eye out for management positions that appeal to him and isn’t ruling out more learning. “I would potentially be interested in gaining a higher qualification — probably through an apprenticeship again.”

So, who knows? Josh could be embarking on his third apprenticeship before too long!

A group of manager sitting in a meeting.

Apprenticeships work

Apprenticeships work for everyone. They offer companies the chance to embed new skills and grow talent within their workplace, while they offer apprentices the chance to learn on the job and earn at the same time. In partnership with Buxton and Leek College, we offer apprenticeships from levels 2-7.

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