Stuart Greensmith White – Derbyshire County Council (Derbyshire Adult Education Service)
Name: Stuart Greensmith White
Age: 33
Employer: Derbyshire County Council (Derbyshire Adult Education Service)
Apprenticeship: Level 7 Senior Leader
Stuart completed his GCSEs and A Levels and was set to attend university, but illness derailed his plans. When he recovered, he began a Level 2 Business Administration apprenticeship, allowing him to get into the workplace.
It was the start of his apprenticeship journey that has culminated in level 7 and him taking on a role teaching apprentices himself and sits on the Apprentice Panel of the Institute of Apprenticeships and Technical Education, which is helping shape apprenticeships for the next generation.
Since entering the workplace and completing his initial apprenticeship, he has moved between roles and industries and been promoted numerous times. He explained: “I have worked in manufacturing, the NHS, within an academy trust and now with a local authority council.
“Apprenticeships are challenging, but hugely fulfilling courses that build the skills employers and apprentices need to really succeed in the workplace.”
Despite having many years work experience and an established career, Stuart is now using a Level 7 apprenticeship to further develop his career.
He explained: “My current apprenticeship was an advertised CPD opportunity while remaining in my then-current role as School Business Manager. The chance to gain a recognised qualification as an investment in my future was too good to miss.
“I am now three-quarters of the way through my apprenticeship and have recently secured another promotion – I am now teaching apprentices of my own!”
Stuart is already in a new post teaching his own apprentices, passing on the knowledge he has gained from his own apprenticeships and experience in the workplace.
Thinking about an apprenticeship? Stuart’s advice…
An apprenticeship is very much what you make it. Where you see extra-curricular opportunities arise, get involved if you can and go into every session with an open mind. It’s all about your development and owning that development will make you feel so empowered and confident. I would encourage anybody, of any age or ability, considering an apprenticeship to go for it. An apprenticeship will open doors for you.
