10 Feb Work-based learning changed my life – and it could transform your people too

With National Apprenticeship Week upon us, it’s the perfect time to celebrate the achievements of apprentices, inspire others to consider this rewarding path, and highlight how businesses benefit from investing in their people. To be fair, I’m out there championing apprenticeships every week! But this week, I’m turning up the volume.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the last 30 years working in apprenticeships and professional development, it’s this: work-based learning has the power to transform lives. And when I say that I’m not only talking about others – I’m also talking about myself.

Turning challenges into opportunities

I left school at 16. Traditional education and me? We didn’t get along. I was bright and capable, but sitting still in a classroom, memorising textbooks – that just wasn’t my thing. I was the youngest of three, often in trouble at school, and constantly being told I wouldn’t amount to much. So, I did what many kids like me do: I tried college, then started working in a bar. That’s how I stumbled into a career in hospitality.

And here’s where everything changed. I went from strength to strength, and it was through work-based qualifications that I discovered my own potential. That hands-on, real-world learning gave me the skills and confidence I didn’t know I had. And it set me on a path I never expected.

From country pub to apprenticeship advocate

My passion for modern apprenticeships started in the most unexpected way. Back when I was running a country pub, I was struggling with staffing – a familiar story in hospitality. One day, a school leaver approached me, asking if she could gain practical work experience working in our kitchen as part of her apprenticeship. That simple request opened my eyes to the world of structured, work-based learning.

We brought more apprentices into the business, and I found so much joy in watching them grow and develop. That’s when it clicked – helping people reach their potential was what I wanted to do.

Throughout my career since – as a trainer, quality assurer, leader, and apprenticeships advocate – I’ve seen first-hand the incredible impact that work-based learning can have. It’s not just about job skills and knowledge, it’s about confidence, self-belief, behaviours and personal growth.

What makes Fieri different

When I joined Fieri as Director of Apprenticeships, I knew I’d found an organisation that shared my values and passion for developing potential.

What makes us unique? Leadership development isn’t just one of the things we offer – it’s the thing we offer. It’s our core focus, and we’re very proud of it.

The team at Fieri choose to specialise in leadership and management apprenticeships because we recognise the power of transformational leadership at every level – not just for individuals, but for entire organisations.

How Fieri builds future leaders

As an approved ILM and apprenticeship provider, we help junior and senior managers to thrive through our Level 3 and Level 5 apprenticeships:

• Expert-Led programmes: Our delivery team is made up of subject-matter experts with diverse backgrounds, from sports professionals and military veterans to police negotiators. They bring real-world experience to the curriculum, sharing stories that emphasise key leadership behaviours like resilience and agility.
• Tailored learning paths:
• Our Level 3 Team Leader programme supports aspiring and new managers heading into leadership positions for the first time.
• Our Level 5 Operations Management programme is designed for middle managers taking on more responsibilities and those heading into more senior positions.
• Blended learning methods:
• We use a mix of face-to-face and virtual sessions, independent study, assignments, and practical projects.
• Action learning sets and outdoor activities at our Hereford centre can also be included, pushing learners out of their comfort zones in a dynamic environment.
• The emphasis is always on immersive learning experiences.

Our learners leave with more than just a qualification for their CV – they gain knowledge, skills, and behaviours to step-up and make a real impact as leaders in today’s fast-changing world.

Investing in the future

All our clients have one thing in common: they’re passionate about investing in their people. We understand that every organisation is unique, which is why we tailor our programmes to fit their specific needs. Whatever the industry, we design apprenticeships that align with their values, goals, and culture. Plus, we’re always here to advise about the different funding options available, making the process as straightforward as possible.

What really sets us apart, though, is the support we provide along the way. Our pastoral care for both learners and employers ensures that every journey is smooth, rewarding, and impactful. Seeing our learners grow and succeed with this support is something that makes me incredibly proud.

Stories that inspire me every day

For now, I will leave you with Hannah and Cameron – two apprentices whose confidence in communication and leadership has grown exponentially through their time with us.

If you’re interested in learning more, please get in touch with me directly at mandie.willis@fierileadership.com or you can also visit our funded training page to find more information and testimonials.

Written by Mandie Willis
Mandie brings with her an incredible CV with more than 25 years of experience working within the FE and Skills Sector. In recent years her focus has been working with employers across many sectors to ensure that they are able to fully utilise their apprenticeship levy to develop both the existing workforce and new leaders into the business. She also specialises in working closely with employer-partners to develop contextualised apprenticeship programmes to meet future business needs and to build sustainable and mutually beneficial, long-lasting partnerships.​