From Administrator to Award Winning Team Leader: Kirsty's Apprenticeship Journey in the NHS

When people think about apprenticeships, they often picture school leavers starting their first job.

In reality, apprenticeships are increasingly supporting experienced employees to develop new skills, step into leadership roles, and progress their careers at every stage.

Kirsty’s journey at Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust is a powerful example of this. Already an established member of the team, she has used apprenticeships as a continuous development pathway—building her skills, confidence, and career step by step.

Since completing her Level 3 Team Leader apprenticeship with a Distinction, Kirsty has secured a promotion, taken on greater responsibility, and been recognised as a winner at the South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards 2026.

Building on Existing Experience

Kirsty’s development has been shaped through a structured series of apprenticeships:

• Business Administration Level 2
• Business Administration Level 3
• Team Leader Level 3

After completing her Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship, progressing onto the Team Leader Level 3 apprenticeship with CT Skills was the natural next step. Already confident in her administrative role, Kirsty was motivated to continue growing professionally and prepare for leadership responsibilities.

The programme not only enhanced her technical knowledge but also helped her recognise her existing strengths and areas for development:

‘It helped me recognise what I’m capable of and identify the skills I already had, as well as those I needed to develop.’

Supporting Patients and Teams Across the NHS

I currently work at the Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust as an Administration Supervisor, I’ve worked for the Trust since 2019. My role is varied and busy, and I support both my team and clinical staff on a daily basis. My responsibilities include answering calls, managing emails, completing system tasks, handling scanning and post, and carrying out audio typing for clinical dictations. I also book appointments, support my team and manager, and provide administrative support to therapists. It’s a role that keeps me on my toes, but one I really enjoy.

Choosing an Apprenticeship for Career Progression

I chose to undertake this apprenticeship as it felt like the natural next step after completing my previous qualification, and having already studied with CT Skills, I was confident in the level of support they provide, which made my decision even easier. The course structure was clear and easy to follow, with helpful resources throughout, and my assessor offered consistent guidance that kept me on track and gave me confidence in my progress. I also wanted to prepare myself for future opportunities and further develop my leadership skills.

The Apprenticeship Experience

Overall, I found the apprenticeship experience really positive. The course was well structured, and regular reviews helped me stay focused and organised. The only challenge I experienced was keeping up with my off-the-job training hours at times. However, with support from both my manager and my assessor, I was able to manage this and stay on track. Aside from that, everything ran smoothly, and I felt fully supported from start to finish.

Developing Skills and Confidence

This apprenticeship has made a huge difference to both my personal and professional development. It helped me recognise what I’m capable of and identify the skills I already had, as well as those I needed to develop. Over time, I’ve built stronger leadership skills and feel much more confident supporting my colleagues. I now have the knowledge and tools to support my team more effectively. My confidence has grown not only at work but also in my personal life, which has been a big achievement for me.

The Employer Impact

For Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, the apprenticeship helped:

• Develop leadership capability within an existing employee
• Build confidence and effectiveness in a supervisory role
• Support staff progression
• Strengthen support for colleagues and wider teams
• Invest in workforce development and retention

‘To support an apprentice gives a great sense of achievement. Seeing the apprentice grow in confidence, gain knowledge daily, and tackle tasks that they would have never dreamt of doing prior to the apprenticeship. Allowing an apprentice to grow and achieve goals that they never expected. Watching apprentices helping colleagues with knowledge gained and improving services/practices as confidence grows. Seeing an apprentice achieve so much recognition for all the hard work completed is a very proud moment and very well deserved.’

– Kirsty’s Manager

A Standout Achievement

One of the biggest highlights of my journey was being nominated by my assessor for the South Yorkshire Apprentice Awards 2026. I was shortlisted for the main event and then went on to win my category. It was an incredible achievement and something I’m really proud of.

Career Growth and Opportunities

This apprenticeship has already had a positive impact on my career. Halfway through the course, I was offered a promotion to a two-year fixed-term role as an Administration Supervisor, moving from a Band 2 to a Band 3 position. This was a big step for me and gave me more responsibility and new opportunities to grow.

The skills, confidence, and knowledge I developed through the apprenticeship helped prepare me for increased responsibility and contributed to my progression within the organisation.

Advice for Others

If considering an apprenticeship, it is highly encouraged, especially with the support of a manager and colleagues, as gaining qualifications can benefit both career progression and personal development. Apprenticeships are a rewarding experience that can open up new opportunities and are not just for those starting their careers but also a valuable way to continue developing at any professional stage.

The Value of CT Skills

I would absolutely recommend CT Skills to others. I’ve now completed three courses with them, and every experience has been a positive one. The support they provide is fantastic, and the assessors go above and beyond to help you succeed. They made sure I had everything I needed to reach my full potential.

Looking back, this apprenticeship has been an incredibly valuable experience. It has helped me grow in confidence, develop my leadership skills, and progress in my career. With the right support in place, it’s a journey I would highly recommend to anyone looking to take the next step.

Key Takeaways

Whether you're starting your career, stepping into leadership, or looking to develop existing skills, apprenticeships can provide a practical route to professional growth and career progression.

Kirsty’s experience demonstrates how apprenticeships can unlock potential at any career stage—supporting both individual growth and organisational success.