National Apprenticeship Week 2025

We believe that apprenticeships transform lives and careers, which is why at Ward we developed our Apprenticeship Programme, available to all employees and designed to empower ambitious individuals, provide hands-on experience and mentorship to shape the leaders of tomorrow.

This week is National Apprenticeship Week (NAW). 2025 marks the 18th NAW, and the theme for this year is ‘Skills for Life’. We’re delighted to share with you stories from members of Team Ward about the skills they have developed, opportunities they have taken and their career journey as part of our Apprenticeship Programme.

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Skye Phillips, Assistant Account Manager

“I joined Ward Security in July 2024, excited to take on a new challenge and grow in my career. To support my development, I’m currently undertaking a Level 5 Operations & Departmental Manager Apprenticeship.

The apprenticeship has been a fantastic opportunity to build my leadership and management skills while applying what I learn directly to my role. It’s helped me gain a deeper understanding of operational strategy, team leadership, and decision-making—essential skills for delivering the best service to our clients.

Being relatively new to this position, the support from both Ward and my training provider (GLP Training) has been invaluable. The apprenticeship is challenging but incredibly rewarding, and I can already see how it’s shaping me into a more confident and capable leader.

I’m grateful to be part of a company that invests in its people, and I’m excited to continue my journey, developing my skills and making a real impact.”

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“Undertaking the Level 3 Front Line Security Manager apprenticeship with Mercury Training was a pivotal moment in my career. The skills and knowledge I gained were invaluable, providing me with a solid foundation in security management principles and practices.

Inspired by the first experience, I decided to further my education by enrolling in the Level 3 Facilities Management Supervisor programme. This decision was driven by my desire to offer a more rounded and comprehensive service to our clients. The additional training has equipped me with a broader skill set, enhancing my ability to manage security operations effectively and efficiently.

Throughout this journey, I have been incredibly fortunate to receive unwavering support from Ward. The encouragement and resources provided by the company have been instrumental in my success. I am also deeply grateful to our client for their recognition and support of my efforts. Their appreciation has been a significant motivator for me.

I am honoured to be part of this apprenticeship programme and look forward to continuing to contribute to our team’s success. Thank you for providing me with these invaluable opportunities.”

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“Nearly seven months ago, I made the decision to begin my apprenticeship, knowing I needed to enhance my skills, particularly in managing challenging situations within the team, and gaining a deeper understanding of the role of a supervisor.

During this time, I have acquired invaluable skills and knowledge that are essential in my role as a Security Supervisor. This journey has opened my eyes to new perspectives, and it has prompted me to reflect on the type of Supervisor or Manager I aspire to become.

For instance, I am developing stronger leadership and communication skills which will enable me to manage teams more effectively, handle challenges in high-pressure situations, and address issues with team members.

As I progress further in this course and continue to gain knowledge, I am confident it will contribute significantly to my career growth. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to be part of this programme, and I look forward to continuing to contribute to the success of Ward.”

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“Completing two apprenticeships – Infrastructure Technician (Level 3) and Software Developer (Level 4) – has been a game-changer for my career. The hands-on experience, combined with structured learning, gave me the technical skills and confidence to progress within Ward’s Business Technology team.

The apprenticeships have provided me with real-world challenges, allowing me to apply my knowledge in a practical setting. They’ve not only strengthened my expertise in IT infrastructure and software development, but also enhanced my problem-solving and analytical skills.

I highly recommend apprenticeships to anyone looking to develop their career. They offer a direct path to gaining industry-recognised qualifications while building valuable experience – a combination that has been instrumental in shaping my journey.”

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“During my apprenticeship course, I experienced both challenges and personal growth, which required a great deal of hard work and dedication. While completing the course, I faced the heart-breaking loss of someone very close to me. However, with the unwavering support of my Trainer, Security Manager, and Ward’s Head of Operational Training, I found the strength to persevere and not give up.

The course helped me develop key skills such as communication, self-awareness, problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork, and time management.

Completing the course is a milestone I am incredibly proud of, both personally and professionally. Today, I can confidently say that I have grown tremendously, not only as a professional but also as an individual.

Earning my certification has been an empowering experience. I would wholeheartedly recommend this apprenticeship to anyone seeking personal and professional growth.”

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“I am currently completing a Level 3 Business Admin apprenticeship, and I am just over halfway through the course. Studying this course has encouraged me to branch out to other departments within the company and learn more about how their work impacts the business operationally.

While studying this course I have developed my business and administration skills, taking this onboard within my role to better my skills and knowledge.

This course has encouraged me to develop further within my role and given me more confidence in the workplace. I am excited to see where it will take me in my professional career.”

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“I have always aspired to do the Level 5 Operations Manager course to widen my career horizons. What a roller coaster ride it has been so far!

My site is quite dynamic, with a varied range of clients including residential, commercial, retail, hospitality and more than that, it involves a constant customer interface with the general public and council. I am always trying to practice what I am taught in this apprenticeship programme, and I am enjoying every aspect.

The support from Ward has been so beneficial from the start, with my managers believing in me and giving me this wonderful opportunity to work towards higher echelons of management. The funding was the icing on the cake, and I am very thankful and appreciative of that. I have been very impressed by Mercury Training with their interactive platforms and course content that is tailored to the understanding of important topics in management.

I am looking forward to how much I will grow from this apprenticeship.”

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JJ Nobrega, Head of Operational Training, adds, “Apprenticeship Programmes at Ward play a crucial role in developing talent, providing all of our team members with the skills, confidence, and career progression opportunities they need to succeed. By investing in structured learning and hands-on experience, we’re not only enhancing individual careers but also strengthening the future of our industry.”

We’re so pleased to see so many of Team Ward taking part in our apprenticeships and we hope to welcome even more people onto the programme in 2025 and beyond!