When I first arrived in the UK four years ago, I went straight to college. I had already completed my O Levels in Zimbabwe where I had moved from, but unfortunately, they weren’t recognised in the UK. Because of this, I had to retake my O Level Maths and English. While I was in college, I learned that university wasn’t the only option available to me. That’s when I discovered apprenticeships — a path that would allow me to gain hands-on experience, earn a salary, and avoid student debt. It sounded like a great opportunity, and I decided that once I finished college, I would pursue an apprenticeship instead of going to university.
Another factor that influenced my decision was the timeline. After completing my O Levels, if I wanted to go to university, I would have needed to study A Levels for two more years. In comparison, an apprenticeship could take just 15 to 18 months, after which I could either continue my apprenticeship journey or choose to go to university, now with valuable work experience behind me.
In August 2021, I began my first apprenticeship with IC Blue, where I enrolled in a Business Administration apprenticeship. IC Blue were incredibly supportive — they allowed me extra time to study, gave me flexibility when scheduling exams, and provided a welcoming and encouraging environment. I truly enjoyed my workplace and the apprenticeship experience, and it quickly became clear that choosing this path was one of the best decisions I had made. A few months into the role, I was even able to move into my own place with my twin sister. I completed my Business Administration apprenticeship in January 2023.
By April 2023, I was ready to take the next step. I’ve always loved working with numbers and had long wanted to study accounting, so I enrolled in the AAT Level 3 Assistant Accountant apprenticeship. This felt like a natural next step and confirmed that I was on the right path. During my course, I met a fellow student who had already completed a university degree in accounting. When I asked why he was doing an apprenticeship despite having a degree, he explained that it had been difficult to find a job because employers kept saying he lacked experience. That conversation reinforced my belief that gaining work experience through apprenticeships was the right route for me.
I’ve been doing my apprenticeships through CT Skills, and I’ve chosen to stay with them because of the excellent support from the tutors. Even though tutors sometimes changed, the level of support remained consistent. Whenever I needed help — whether it was additional resources or one-to-one meetings — I could always count on them. I want to especially thank my current tutors, Gina Smith and Esther Nduta, for their ongoing help and support during my AAT course. A special thanks also goes to Trevor Buchan, a manager at CT Skills, who has been with me throughout all my apprenticeships. He was always there to offer guidance and step in whenever tutors were on leave or when I needed extra support.
I completed my Level 3 AAT apprenticeship in January 2025 and in March, progressed to the Level 4 Diploma in Accounting, which I’m currently working on. I’m very grateful for the continued guidance and encouragement from my current tutors, Gina and Esther, who have been instrumental in my learning journey.
Looking back, choosing an apprenticeship over university has been one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve made — allowing me to grow both professionally and personally, all while gaining qualifications and valuable experience along the way.
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