National Apprenticeship Week: Growing Careers, Strengthening Care
National Apprenticeship Week is ultimately about people, their progress, their potential, and the futures they are building.
National Apprenticeship Week begins today, and at Progress Care Solutions, it offers a moment to reflect on something that is embedded in everyday practice. Growth. Not just organisational growth, but personal growth. The kind that happens when people are given the space, encouragement, and opportunity to develop their skills, build confidence, and shape meaningful careers in care.
Apprenticeships are often spoken about in terms of qualifications, frameworks, or pathways, but in reality, they are about people. They are about individuals discovering what they are capable of, strengthening their knowledge through experience, and translating learning into better support for children, young people, and adults. When colleagues are supported to develop professionally, the impact extends far beyond the classroom or training session. It reaches into homes, services, and daily interactions, shaping the quality of care delivered every day.
That philosophy is reflected in Progress’ approach to development. As Managing Director Claire Rogers notes, “We’re proud to support our people to grow, progress and lead.” It is a simple sentiment, but one that underpins a culture where development is encouraged, supported, and valued. Across services, apprenticeships are enabling practitioners to deepen their understanding of care and leadership, while opening doors to progression that might otherwise have felt out of reach.
Jade’s journey captures this spirit particularly well. Joining Progress Care Solutions about six years ago with a strong sense of purpose, she began in a frontline role and progressed through each stage of responsibility within her service. From Support Worker to leadership positions and ultimately to Registered Manager of Henley Lodge in Coventry, her path has been shaped by commitment, learning, and reflection. Each role provided insight into different aspects of care and team leadership, strengthening both her confidence and perspective.
Alongside managing her service, Jade is completing her Level 5 Leadership and Management apprenticeship. For her, learning is closely connected to impact. She is deeply committed to ensuring children and young people feel safe, valued, and supported to achieve their potential. At the same time, she invests energy in nurturing the development of staff, recognising that confident and capable teams create the strongest foundations for exceptional care. Having experienced the realities of each role herself, she leads with empathy and authenticity, grounded in understanding rather than distance. Her story demonstrates what sustained opportunity and determination can achieve when they meet in the right environment.
A different but equally meaningful perspective can be seen in the experience of Cosmos Appau, Manager at Portland House. Development, for him, has always been a deliberate choice. After joining as Deputy Manager, pursuing Level 5 Leadership and Management training felt like a necessary step, regardless of whether immediate progression followed. Strengthening his knowledge and gaining tools to support others was the priority.
The apprenticeship structure provided space for reflection and self-assessment, allowing him to measure progress and identify areas for improvement. With guidance from mentors and assessors, the learning became practical and grounded, feeding directly into everyday leadership. It deepened his understanding of legislation, safeguarding responsibilities, and leadership theory, while also shaping how he manages conflict, supports staff development, and guides teams through complex situations. Today, the influence of that learning is evident in his approach, which emphasises reflection, informed decision-making, and continuous improvement. His experience highlights how apprenticeships contribute not only to career progression, but to the depth and quality of leadership within services.
These journeys are not isolated examples. Across Progress Care Solutions, colleagues are engaging in professional development that strengthens both their capabilities and their confidence. Managers are completing or working towards Level 5 diplomas in leadership and management. Practitioners are gaining sector-specific qualifications that deepen their expertise. Others are building foundations through adult care certifications that enable them to progress further. In some cases, qualifications have supported promotion into new roles. In others, they have reinforced knowledge that enhances daily practice. Collectively, they reflect an organisation-wide commitment to recognising potential and investing in people over the long term.
Care is a profession rooted in relationships and understanding. Technical knowledge matters, but so does empathy, awareness, and adaptability. Apprenticeships offer a unique bridge between theory and experience, ensuring learning is immediately relevant and grounded in real contexts. For individuals, they build confidence and create pathways forward. For teams, they strengthen collective capability. For those receiving support, they contribute to consistency, compassion, and quality.
National Apprenticeship Week is therefore not simply a celebration of achievement. It is also a reminder of possibility. It invites those considering a career in care to see development as part of the journey rather than something separate from it. It reassures those already within the sector that growth remains accessible and encouraged.
At Progress Care Solutions, the focus continues to rest on enabling people to learn, develop, and lead with confidence. Investing in individuals is never an abstract concept. It is visible in stronger teams, more thoughtful leadership, and more responsive care environments. Ultimately, it is reflected in better outcomes for the people at the heart of the organisation’s work.
Because when people are supported to grow, progress follows naturally, and the benefits are shared by everyone.
Do you know anyone that would thrive and grow within Progress? Refer them today. Send their details to: refer-a-friend@progresscare.co.uk