Article Summary
- The first year sets the tone. Confidence, expectations and a sense of belonging are shaped early and getting this right creates momentum that lasts throughout an apprenticeship.
- Real responsibility builds real confidence. Hands-on experience and ownership of meaningful work turn potential into capability.
- Belonging and clarity don’t happen by accident. Regular support, trusted relationships and clear feedback help apprentices feel included and able to grow.
What a high-quality first year apprenticeship really looks like
The first year of an apprenticeship is where everything is decided.
It’s where confidence is built or lost, where expectations are formed, and where young people decide whether they truly belong in the world of work. Get it right, and you create momentum that lasts. Get it wrong, and potential can be lost early.
Ellie Malcolm joined Investors in People straight from school as a Graduate Apprentice Events Co-ordinator. She has completed her first year and is moving confidently in her second year. Her experience offers a clear picture of what a strong first year apprenticeship actually feels like in practice.
Starting out: from school to the workplace
Like many young people entering work for the first time, Ellie arrived with a mix of nerves and excitement.
“When I first joined as an apprentice, I was nervous because I was coming straight from school and had only ever had part-time work experience. I didn’t really know what to expect.”
At the same time, there was a strong sense of anticipation.
“I was excited to gain new experiences and develop my learning in a professional environment, alongside starting university.”
That combination of uncertainty and opportunity is common for early-career starters. What matters is how organisations respond to it.
Settling in: belonging doesn’t happen by chance
One of the biggest factors in Ellie’s early experience was feeling supported and included from day one.
“What helped me settle into work was being in the office with members of the team. Team days really helped because they gave me the chance to put names to faces and properly introduce myself to everyone.”
She also highlights the importance of having someone close to her own stage of life and experience.
“Robyn is my university mentor and is closest to my age. We built a strong relationship very quickly, which made the first few months much more comfortable.”
Belonging wasn’t left to chance. It was actively created through time together, relationships and shared experiences.
Confidence comes from doing real work
Ellie’s confidence didn’t grow through observation alone. It grew through hands-on experience.
“I started to feel much more confident after supporting all the events throughout the year. Having hands-on experience helped me understand what was expected of me at each event.”
With each event, her independence increased.
“It gave me the chance to become more independent and feel more prepared when supporting events in the future.”
That approach isn’t accidental. Ellie’s manager, Scott Irwin, began his own career at Investors in People as an apprentice. The trust and responsibility he was given early on shaped how he now supports others to learn and grow.
This is a critical insight for employers. Confidence doesn’t come from keeping apprentices at arm’s length. It comes from trusting them with real responsibility, supported in the right way.
Feedback, clarity and support
A consistent theme in Ellie’s first year is clarity. Knowing what was expected of her, having space to ask questions, and receiving regular feedback all played a role in her development.
“The most helpful feedback has been the regular check-ins with my manager, Scott Irwin. We have catch-ups to discuss priorities, which helps me understand expectations and ask questions beforehand.”
Those conversations are becoming more structured over time.
“We’re conducting end-of-month reviews to go through my performance, which will really help me understand my strengths and areas for improvement.”
For Ellie, this clarity has been key to feeling supported while learning and growing in her role.
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The right apprenticeship is the right person, in the right place at the right time.
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Looking ahead: progression without pressure
As Ellie continues in her second year, she feels optimistic and motivated rather than anxious.
“I’m excited to take on more responsibilities this year and show my capabilities through what I’ve learned in my first year.”
She’s already stepping into greater ownership, including independently planning and managing Team Days for 2026.
“I feel like this is a good start to help me develop in the upcoming years throughout my apprenticeship.”
These are strong early signals of engagement, confidence and retention.
Advice from year one
Ellie’s advice to new apprentices is practical and grounded in experience.
“Make time for your learning at college or university and keep it separate from your day-to-day work tasks. Time management is key.”
Planning ahead has made a real difference.
“Managing assignments in advance helps balance workloads and avoid leaving things until the last minute. That’s helped me achieve a healthier work-life balance.”
It’s a reminder that supporting apprentices also means helping them develop sustainable ways of working.
Why this matters
Ellie’s experience shows what happens when apprenticeships are designed around clarity, inclusion, real work and ongoing support from the very start.
Her first year wasn’t about being eased in gently or kept on the sidelines. It was about learning by doing, being listened to, and being trusted to grow.
Ellie’s experience also reflects a leadership approach shaped by lived experience from her manager, Scott Irwin, where learning, trust and opportunity are passed from one generation of apprentices to the next.
That’s the thinking behind We invest in apprentices and We invest in young people. Because when organisations invest properly in the first year, they don’t just build skills. They build confidence, capability and the foundations for long-term success.
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