SW-AAN Leadership

The Young Apprentice Ambassador Network (AAN) runs in close parallel with the Apprenticeships Ambassadors Network (AAN) and is represented by a Co-Vice Chair on the national AAN Leadership team.

In the South-West, the SW-AAN have a strong team led by a Regional Chair, County Leads and a Comms Team.

Regional Chair

Amy Kyme

I work at Devon County Council as an Apprenticeships & Employability Advisor in People & Culture. I joined the Council in 2016 as a Business Administration Apprentice, completing a Level 2 and 3 framework. After securing a permanent role as an Apprenticeships Administrator, I started a Level 3 HR Support apprenticeship and then progressed onto further roles with the Council and a Level 5 HR Consultant/Partner apprenticeship which I successfully completed in Spring 2023.

Apprenticeships have allowed me to develop professionally in a career route I’m passionate about while gaining a higher-level qualification with no debt at the end. My apprenticeships have benefited me personally as through my apprenticeship journey I’ve grown in confidence which has helped shape the person I am today.

The impact my apprenticeship has had on me is why I choose to work in apprenticeships to help advocate their benefits to others. This is why I joined the network in 2018, to be part of a community of like-minded apprentices and employers who share my passion and want to remove any stereotypes still associated with apprenticeships. The network has allowed me to gain new skills in public speaking and boosted my leadership skills through my various roles in the SWAAN Leadership Team. Being an ambassador has opened some exciting opportunities that I would have never expected or will forget, such as receiving an invitation to the King’s Coronation Concert in May 2023.

County Leads

The three main roles of the County Leads are:

Ambassador Care – Maintaining regular contact with local Apprentice Ambassadors and celebrating their achievements (e.g., school activities; awards).
Advocacy – Ensuring local Apprentice Ambassadors are getting involved in activities to inspire and inform young people about apprenticeships.
Recruitment – Working with local employers, colleges, universities and independent training providers to promote membership of the SW-AAN.

Cornwall – Charlie Armstrong

Hello! I work at Pendennis Yachts in Falmouth as an Apprentice Mechanical Engineer and am looking to complete my level 3 Marine Engineering qualification.

Personally, for me, the main benefits of being an apprentice are the opportunities of working within a group of qualified tradesmen and adopting their skills and listening to their knowledge when completing tasks to the highest of standards. I feel that an apprenticeship allows you to adopt a more grown-up attitude towards education. The actions of making sure that I am on time, ready to learn and completing work to the standard that is expected has allowed me to mature as a young adult. Overall, an apprenticeship allows you to get noticed not just on your ability to retain knowledge but to be recognised for how you go about working within a team or the process used when completing a task. An apprenticeship is also a great way of using your hands on the job and uncovering a talent that you may not have ever been aware of when in education.

The main benefits that come from being a part of the SW-AAN are the opportunities it gives me to show people that leaving full time education that there are opportunities other than university. It also allows me to go to different schools and events to show off what my company can offer. As a student that left private education it was always a straight path from 6th form to university. However, after going to an apprenticeships fair and learning that Pendennis could offer me the opportunity to find new skills and still get a qualification this opened my eyes to an alternative. SW-AAN gives people the opportunity to find out what their alternative could be. This is the first time that a Pendennis employee has taken on this role and I see this as huge privilege for myself and a fantastic opportunity to show people what apprenticeships can really offer.

Devon – Holly Brimson

I work at Devon County Council as a Graduate Trainee Planner in the Planning, Transportation and Environment department. I am currently completing a Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship, and will then go on to complete a Level 7 Chartered Town Planner Degree Apprenticeship. My role in the SW-AAN is the County Lead for Devon.

Being an apprentice is a great way to progress your career whilst gaining a recognised qualification. There are a number of apprentices to choose from, and they all give you the opportunity to learn a whole host of skills in the workplace. Completing an apprenticeship has allowed me to attend events (albeit virtually!) and network with other apprentices, which in turn has massively increased my confidence.

Having graduated from University in 2020, completing an apprenticeship has taught me that it doesn’t matter where you are in your career – apprenticeships can be for everyone and come in so many different levels.

Being a part of the SW-AAN is a great opportunity to inspire and motivate others, for example at school or college events. It’s a great feeling to know you could be having a positive impact on someone and helping them to make a decision with their career or education.

Somerset – Ben Eve

I work at Somerset County Council in their Economy and Planning Team. In May 2020 I completed my Level 4 Associate Project Management Apprenticeship. Now, I continue to volunteer for the Young Apprentice Ambassador Network as the County Lead for Somerset.

Being an apprentice opens up lots of opportunities for networking within an organisation. A big part of progressing in your career is to set a track record for yourself and an apprenticeship is the perfect way to do this. By taking an apprenticeship, you learn on the job while proving your worth to an organisation, which makes demonstrating your experience in promotion type interviews easier!

Being in the AAN has improved my confidence in networking and public speaking. As part of the AAN, we regularly go out to schools and careers events and talk about our apprenticeship journey. This is the perfect way to get used to public speaking, with a presentation about yourself that you can continue to practise, refine and improve.

Somerset and West of England Joint County Lead – Anna Gates

I work for EDF Energy on Hinkley Point C as a Civil Engineering Degree Apprentice. I am currently in the fifth year of my scheme and hope to graduate Summer 2024. I study at the University of Exeter and am have been based in Somerset and been involved in the SWAAN Network for the past four years.

I have had so many unique opportunities over my apprenticeship, including going on secondments to EDF Renewables, being part of one of the largest construction projects in Europe, and presenting at International Conferences. The SWAAN has equipped me with the confidence to go head first into these opportunities including gaining vital presentation skills and the ability to talk to new people.

Being a part of the network gives me the chance to be an advocate for the wonderful world of apprenticeships and to meet some incredible people! I would encourage every student in the UK to consider an apprenticeship, and by being a part of the Network, I can do that proactively. Somerset and the West of England are two amazing Counties in the South West Region and Cerise and I are so excited to see the growth in this area.

Gloucestershire – Lucy Hanman

I work at Stroud District Council, which is the local government authority for the district of Stroud. I completed a Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship in 2021 and now I am a Business Support Assistant for the Systems & Improvement team. In the SW-AAN, I am the County Lead for Gloucestershire.

There are so many benefits that come from undertaking an apprenticeship, but the main ones for me have been confidence building and learning a new skill every day. Having confidence is something that I’ve always struggled with but being an apprentice has increased my confidence levels enormously.

Since joining the SW-AAN I’ve become more comfortable with presenting to large audiences and networking with lots of enthusiastic, motivated young people – most of which I would have never crossed paths with had I not signed up to the SW-AAN. I always say the best kinds of apprentices are the ones which never stop learning, and the SW-AAN is a great place to grow your skills and meet likeminded people who can support you throughout your apprenticeship journey.

Swindon & Wiltshire - Vacant position

Expressions of interest from Wiltshire-based apprentices can be submitted to SWAAN@southwestwater.co.uk

Apprentice Ambassador Job Description

Comms Team

The Comms Team work online, typically via social media or video channels.

The three main roles of the Comms Team are:

Ambassador Care – Maintaining regular contact with the Regional Chair and County Leads and celebrating their achievements (e.g., school activities; awards).
Advocacy – Inspiring and informing young people about apprenticeships, via social media and video channels, based on:
- Central campaigns - e.g., National Apprenticeship Week; National Apprenticeships Awards
- Collaborating with the County Leads to celebrate and promote the activities of the Apprentice Ambassadors locally
Recruitment – Promoting membership of the SW-AAN.

Comms Lead – Ellie Martin

Hello I’m Ellie! I work for South West Apprenticeship Company as their account manager where we help businesses to recruit apprentices, expand their talent pool and grow their businesses. Previously I have completed Level 2 & 3 business administration apprenticeships within the education sector and now have the privilege to continue promoting apprenticeships on social media with my role as SWAAN Comms Lead along with rest of SWAAN Comms Team.

Choosing to become an apprentice, you take charge to gain the best learning path for your career - you could get to choose the apprenticeship programme, which employer, which training provider and most of all you choose your own success and goals for your futures. That's what I love about apprenticeships the most!
SWAAN has presented me with many opportunities to develop my knowledge and skills so far and I’m sure a lot more to come:

Networking
Public Speaking
Leadership and Management
Communication Skills
Social Media Marketing
Attendance of awards panels, apprenticeships talks and events to promote apprenticeships
Working with local apprentices, employers, and partners within the South West

Please feel to contact me on Ellie.Martin@theswac.org.uk or SWAAN Comms Team on swaancommsteam@outlook.com to discuss Comms prospects with the South West Apprenticeship Ambassador Network.

Analytics - Ella Bell

I work for Babcock International, and I am currently completing a Digital & Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship – specialising in Data Analysis.

I think that becoming an apprentice is extremely beneficial for your career because you are given the opportunity to gain technical knowledge through academic studies, whilst at the same time gaining professional experience in a genuine workplace.

Joining the SW-AAN provides an excellent opportunity to develop your personal & professional skills, such as public speaking and networking, whilst also inspiring and spreading a positive message to young people.

Comms - Neve Hart

I'm working at Devon County Council as a Business Administration Apprentice working within the Apprenticeships and Early Careers Team in People and Culture. I've only been in this role for a few months, but I have already been given so many opportunities as an Apprentice and I'm really enjoying it! I aim to finish my Apprenticeship around April 2025 and would definitely seize the chance to complete another one afterwards.

Apprenticeships are a great route to go down as you get on the job learning in a real work environment and earning while you learn is always a bonus. Before my Apprenticeship, I completed my first year at Exeter College but discovered that learning from books and completing lots of exams is not the way that I learn, I learn more in a hands-on learning environment, which is exactly what my Apprenticeship gives me.

This is exactly why I am proud to be a SWAAN Ambassador and why I back Apprenticeships so strongly! They give you a head start in your career and plenty of chances to apply your learning in a practical way. My team has been so helpful, and I know that no matter what I'll always have support throughout my learning. I am excited for my future with Apprenticeships and all the exciting opportunities I know will come my way!