Eighteen months ago, Lauren started a Level 3 Facilities Management Supervisor apprenticeship. Last week, she completed it, and passed with distinction.
After balancing a full-time role with studying, assignments and a demanding end-point assessment, Lauren has officially reached the finish line, and we couldn’t be prouder of her.
“It feels amazing to have it all completed. It’s been a long time coming, but I’m so proud of myself for sticking with it, and getting a distinction on top of that is just the best feeling.”
Over the final months, Lauren completed her end-point assessment, which included a written project, a presentation and a professional interview. It was a big final push, but one that marked the end of a long and rewarding journey, and an incredible result.
Lauren began her apprenticeship in June 2024, following a conversation with her line manager and the facilities manager on site. They suggested it as a way for her to build her knowledge and progress in her role, and after looking into it, Lauren decided to go for it.
“At the time, I just thought, why not? It felt like a really good opportunity to learn more and gain a proper qualification at the same time.”
Like most people starting an apprenticeship, Lauren had a few worries. The biggest one was time. How do you fit studying around a busy role without burning out?
“I work long days anyway, so the idea of going home and studying was a bit daunting,” she admits. “But being able to do it during work hours made such a difference. It meant I could properly focus on it.”
One of the biggest positives has been how practical the learning has been. Everything Lauren learned could be applied straight to her role, which meant she could see the impact of her progress in real time.
“It’s not just theory,” she explains. “You learn something, you apply it, and then you realise you actually know what you’re doing. That’s such a confidence boost.”
And that confidence is probably the biggest change of all. Over the 18 months, Lauren has grown massively in how she sees herself at work. She’s more confident in her decisions, more comfortable speaking up, and more aware of her own strengths.
“I definitely trust myself more now,” she says. “Before, I used to second-guess everything. Now I feel like I can just get on with it and back myself.”
Fara has seen that growth first-hand. “She’s come on so much,” Fara says. “Her confidence has skyrocketed, and she’s taken everything in her stride. Even when it’s been busy or stressful, she’s stayed positive and committed. We’re all incredibly proud of her, especially for achieving a distinction.”
And we genuinely are. Completing an apprenticeship alongside a full-time role is no small thing. It takes consistency, resilience, and a lot of determination, and Lauren has shown all three.
Perhaps the nicest part of the story is how Lauren now feels about apprenticeships themselves. Before starting, she assumed they were mainly for school leavers. Now, she’s one of their biggest advocates.
“I honestly think more people should consider them,” she says. “It’s such a good way to learn and build confidence. You get real experience and a qualification at the end of it. I don’t think people realise how valuable they are.”
So valuable, in fact, that she’s already thinking about what’s next. With a broader understanding of facilities management and more exposure to different areas of the business, Lauren is now considering starting a Level 4 apprenticeship in the future.
“I’ll definitely take a little break from assignments,” she laughs, “but I do want to keep learning and see how far I can go.”
For now, it’s time to celebrate. Eighteen months of hard work, learning and growth, and a distinction to top it all off.
Well done, Lauren! 🎉