At HoW College, apprenticeships are a key part of the educational offering, with the college committed to providing high-quality training and support to help students succeed in their chosen careers.
Mo Horan, Vice Principal Apprenticeships, Partnerships & Skills at HoW College, said: “Apprenticeships are a fantastic way for individuals to gain practical experience while building their knowledge and skills. At HoW College, we are proud to work with a range of employers to support our apprentices in achieving their career aspirations.
“National Apprenticeship Week is a great opportunity to celebrate their hard work and dedication, and to encourage others to consider apprenticeships as a pathway to a rewarding future. It also serves as an important reminder of the important role apprenticeships play in shaping the future workforce and supporting economic growth.”
HoW College’s apprenticeship success stories include:
- Hannah Randall – Level 3 Motor Vehicle Service and Maintenance Technician
Hannah Randall is a Level 3 Motor Vehicle apprentice at Woodyard Garage, Redditch, where she is training to become a skilled Vehicle Repair Technician. Choosing an apprenticeship over traditional study, Hannah values the hands-on experience and practical skills development it offers. “The work experience gained during my three-year apprenticeship will speak volumes on my CV when seeking future employment,” she explained.
Hannah’s role involves a variety of tasks, including oil services, inspections, tyre fitting, and the replacement of braking, steering, suspension, and exhaust system components. Occasionally, she tackles more complex projects to enhance her technical expertise.
The opportunity to develop her physical strength and manual skills, whilst directly benefitting the local community is what motivated her to become a mechanic – traditionally a male-heavy industry. Hannah added: “The fact that there are many more male mechanics simply comes down to personal preferences, and I have found the industry to be greatly accommodating of those women who choose physical jobs.”
One of her proudest achievements is applying skills learned in an evening welding class to restore her 1966 Series 2a Land Rover. Hannah credits HoW College’s supportive teaching staff for helping her excel, saying: “They’ve encouraged me to develop my knowledge without limits.”
Hannah encourages others to consider apprenticeships, noting that they combine earning a wage with building valuable skills and independence in preparation for a successful career in the motor industry.
- Molly Lloyd – Level 3 Mechanical Engineering
Molly, is a Level 3 mechanical engineering apprentice at Pharma Packaging Systems in Pershore, where she helps build machines which count and measure out pharmaceuticals for the likes of Holland & Barrett.
The 20-year-old is the only female on the shop floor at work, but is fiercely proud of this – she has a pink toolbox and has marked all of her tools with pink nail varnish to clearly identify them as hers!
Engineering runs in the family – Molly’s grandfather was an engineering draughtsman (she uses some of his old technical drawing tools), and her dad works in engineering for global dairy brand Muller – but she made sure she did her own research before deciding that it was the right career path.
She said: “My family is engineering oriented, which definitely helped me but on my own accord I researched, went to different job fairs and learned that was the way I wanted to go.”
Molly has been studying at HoW College since 2021, where she is currently studying for her Level 3 in Operations Engineering.
- Hannah Davies – Level 3 Mechanical Engineering
Hannah Davies is a mechanical engineer apprentice at Accrofab in Warwickshire, studying Level 3 Mechanical Engineering. Accrofab is a class-leading manufacturer of precision fabricated and machined parts for the aerospace, defence and power generation industries.
Driven by her practical nature and a passion for hands-on work, Hannah chose an apprenticeship because of her mindset of ‘wanting to get on with things’ and the chance to get real-world experience.
Hannah thrives on the variety in her role, moving between tasks and projects each day. Her favourite days involve working with the laser, a skill she’s developed during her apprenticeship. She loves developing her skills and impressing those around her with her progress – alongside work, she has designed and created metal ‘floral arrangements’ using her technical abilities – showing how her skills can be applied in creative ways.
From a young age, Hannah aspired to work in aerospace, which was sparked by attending an airshow with her mum. Despite having moments of self-doubt, she’s proud of her growth, both personally and professionally. Her advice for aspiring apprentices is simple: “Don’t doubt yourself – just go for it!”
As a female in a traditionally male-dominated field (she is the only woman on the shop floor where she works), Hannah isn’t phased by this and gets along with everyone. She said: “I haven’t had any problems or judgement and we all tend to just focus on our work and get on with it. I was slightly worried about it more so at the start, and thought I may face people saying ‘you can’t do this or that’, but it is just about going for it and having confidence and belief in yourself.”
Hannah praised HoW College’s facilities, workshops, and supportive teaching staff for helping her excel. With plans to specialise in aerospace at university, Hannah sees her apprenticeship as the perfect launchpad for her future career to really take off.
- Lauren Powell – Level 3 Business Administration
Lauren Powell, a former Level 3 Business Administration Apprentice at Whiting Landscape, discovered her career path after realising that traditional Sixth Form education wasn’t for her. Seeking a more practical learning experience, she pursued a Level 2 Customer Service qualification before transitioning to a Business Administration apprenticeship.
“Being able to learn and gain qualifications while working and gaining hands-on experience was always something I saw benefiting my career,” Lauren said.
In her role, Lauren managed tenders from start to finish, assisted with marketing on social media and the company website, and also organised corporate hospitality and events. Her placement provided her with real-world skills alongside her college studies.
Lauren’s apprenticeship boosted her confidence, both professionally and personally. She thrived in a traditionally male-dominated industry by embracing challenges and even spearheaded a successful project to reduce her workplace’s carbon footprint and being part of the internal ‘Green Team’ committee. Her efforts included reducing paper and electricity use in the office, and contributing to her company’s Net Zero goals by 2030.
After completing her apprenticeship, Lauren was offered a full-time role at Whiting Landscaping, where she continues to grow her career in commercial and marketing.
Reflecting on her time at HoW College, Lauren highlights her tutor’s encouragement and the college’s visions and values. “HoW College made me feel at ease and comfortable to study with them.”
- Mariah Sutton – Level 3 Business Administration
Mariah Sutton, is a Recruitment Apprentice at Polaris, she found her path to success through an apprenticeship after facing uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting her journey at 23, Mariah sees the apprenticeship as a chance to learn new skills, gain a qualification, and rebuild her career while earning a wage. “I knew I needed to start somewhere, and the apprenticeship was something I could start with,” she explained.
In her role, Mariah supports HR and recruitment needs for a busy children’s services organisation. Her tasks include reaching out to candidates, liaising with hiring managers, managing recruitment processes, and even covering for her manager during annual leave. “Speaking to people from all walks of life was one of the things I loved most about my role,” she said.
Mariah’s apprenticeship is teaching her invaluable professional skills, including patience, communication, organisation, and accountability. On a personal level, she’s gained confidence, resilience, and the ability to navigate challenges with a positive mindset.
One of her proudest achievements was passing her maths qualification, a requirement for completing her apprenticeship. “It took hard work, but I was immensely proud to achieve something I never thought I could,” she reflects.
Mariah praised HoW College’s supportive tutors for helping her. “They spoke to you, not down to you,” she said, adding that their encouragement helped her exceed her own expectations.
HoW College is dedicated to supporting apprentices through excellent mentoring, strong industry partnerships, and a commitment to student success. To find out more about HoW College, visit www.howcollege.ac.uk.
