This week marks National Apprenticeship Week 2026, an opportunity to celebrate the value of apprenticeships and the people who take part in them. To recognise this, our three apprentices are sharing reflections on their experiences of being an apprentice at Healthwatch Essex.
Alicia
“Like many people, I once thought there was “one” path: school, qualifications, university, job. Anything else sounded like a detour. But sometimes, the detour is the thing that gets you where you’re supposed to be.
I started my Digital Marketing Apprenticeship in September 2024, and while I felt incredibly nervous at the beginning, I was also genuinely excited. This opportunity felt like a natural progression for me, as I have had a strong passion for art and design from a young age. From drawing and painting as a child to studying Graphic Design at college, creativity has always been a central part of who I am. During college, I qualified with a Level 3 Distinction in Graphic Design and Technology, which further reinforced my desire to pursue a creative career.
Now studying a BA (Hons) Digital Marketing Degree at Anglia Ruskin University and working for Healthwatch Essex, allows me to combine academic learning with practical, hands-on experience in a field that truly interests me. While stepping into this role felt challenging at times, I have come to realise that feeling uncertain was a natural part of my growth.
From day one, my apprenticeship wasn’t just about ticking boxes or completing coursework. It was about showing up, asking questions (even the ones that felt silly), making mistakes, and figuring things out in real time. I wasn’t learning in theory, I was learning in practice.
There were days when I doubted myself. Days when I felt behind. But there were also moments, small at first, where I realised I was simply progressing.
I am now a year and a half into the programme and enjoying the opportunity to apply what I’m learning directly to my role. Balancing full-time work and university study can be difficult at times. But overall, my experience so far has confirmed that I am following a path that aligns with a long-standing passion, helping me to build both my skills and confidence as I move forward.”
Grace
“I joined Healthwatch Essex in 2022 when I was 17 years old, starting a Level 3 apprenticeship in Business Administration. At the time, I had realised that the traditional college route wasn’t right for me and wanted to move into the workplace to gain practical experience. An apprenticeship felt like a good fit, as it allowed me to work while studying and develop skills in a real working environment.
During my apprenticeship, I learned the basics of business administration and project management, which helped me support colleagues and understand how the organisation operates. I also developed an understanding of workplace behaviour and professional communication, both through my studies and by being part of a team day to day. This experience helped build my confidence and clarify the direction I wanted to take in my career.
I completed and passed my apprenticeship in March 2024 and was then offered a full-time position at Healthwatch Essex as an Office Administrator. Although there was an opportunity to continue studying straight away, I chose to focus on work for a period to gain further experience and take on more responsibility. From April 2024 to September 2025, I worked full time in this role, developing my skills and confidence further.
In September 2025, I enrolled in a degree apprenticeship, studying BA (Hons) Business Management Degree Apprenticeship (CMDA) at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU). The course leads to a Level 6 Business Management degree alongside a Level 5 Chartered Manager qualification. I am now five months into the programme and enjoying the opportunity to apply what I’m learning directly to my role. While balancing full-time work and university study can be challenging, it has helped me develop stronger time management and problem-solving skills.
This year marks my fourth year at Healthwatch Essex. The organisation has supported my development throughout, and working within a supportive team has helped me build practical experience, confidence and a clear career path.”
Max
“To celebrate Apprenticeship Week, I wanted to share a bit about my experience so far and why I think apprenticeships are such a great opportunity.
I started my Digital Marketing Degree Apprenticeship at Healthwatch Essex in September 2024. Before starting my apprenticeship, I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do, but I wanted to find a mix of real work experience and learning at the same time. That’s when I find out about degree apprenticeships, which allow just that.
At Healthwatch Essex, my role involves supporting digital marketing across different platforms. I work on social media content, website updates, filming and editing, podcasts, newsletters and more. I’m able to learn on the job while working towards a degree, which means everything I learn at university can be applied straight away in a real working environment.
Every day is slightly different, which keeps things interesting and helps me build a wide range of skills. I’ve also learned a lot about how an organisation like Healthwatch Essex listens to people’s experiences of health and social care and uses those voices to help improve services.
One of the best parts of my apprenticeship has been the support. Everyone has been welcoming, patient, and willing to help me learn. I’ve been given responsibility while still being supported, which has helped build my confidence both professionally and personally.
Apprenticeship Week is a great time to highlight that apprenticeships aren’t just an alternative option, they’re a really strong pathway. Being able to earn, gain experience, and study at the same time has been a huge benefit for me, and I feel like I’m building a strong foundation for my future career.
I’m really proud to be an apprentice at Healthwatch Essex and excited to continue learning and developing over the rest of my apprenticeship.”