Apprenticeships help earn, learn and build a new career

Written by Nyna-Marie Kelsey from Conference Aston as part of National Apprenticeship Week 2026

As someone who has completed two different apprenticeships and learned about two different roles, I have a unique perspective on what makes an apprenticeship programme a great way to learn as a new employee in a business. Also, how it allows businesses to integrate developing professionals and embed them into their roles and the workplace.

In recognition of National Apprenticeship Week, I want to reflect on why apprenticeships are effective, based on my personal experience.

I’ve recently finished a two year apprenticeship programme as a Marketing Assistant at Conference Aston, building on my previous role in video production, which also started with an apprenticeship.

In both cases, one core part of the process that stood out to me is that I was given the chance to learn how to be effective at the role I was hired to do as I was doing it.

The scenarios and opportunities that can’t be expressed in theory alone, and only become apparent as you work through the practicalities of tasks and projects in a workplace, helping reinforce on the job learning. It also showcases new topics, ideas and areas of interest that encourage you to continue developing skills and knowledge in a way that I feel all professionals stepping into a new career field can benefit from.

I feel like this has allowed me to develop in a way that really supports my colleagues and the business. We launched the Make Mondays Matter initiative last year, and its resounding success was a project I particularly enjoyed putting together alongside the wider team.

I’ve also enjoyed working on the implementation of our AI chatbot onto our website, building a database of information from the expertise within our team and using it to create a tool that supports our customers with that knowledge in an accessible way while automating enquiries for the business.

By providing the support and opportunities to explore and grow as a marketer, Conference Aston has been able to develop someone capable of supporting a variety of business needs in a field where various specialisations exist.

I’ve also worked on digital, content and event marketing projects, amongst others, employing skills from design to database management across platforms from exhibitions to social media channels. Being given the chance to show I can meet the different needs of the venue while being able to identify where and how I want to grow as a professional to fulfil them.

The process has culminated in the completion of my apprenticeship and my progression into a permanent role at Conference Aston.

All that to say, going forward, I’m confident that while I now have a strong foundation of skills and knowledge that I bring to my job every day, I’m in a place where I know I can continue to push forward my own growth and development as a professional in my field. Something I’m confident both employers and employees want to feel, and my biggest reason for advocating for more apprenticeship opportunities in the region.