Lifelong learning journey for Lesley

For lifelong learning advocate Lesley Holt, deciding to study a Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship was a great opportunity to develop skills that were highly relevant to her job.

As Solutions Manager at leading public sector services provider Serco, Lesley’s role involves working in the Business Development Unit specialising in Education, Skills and Enterprise. 

Serco formed a three-year partnership with the University of Wolverhampton to deliver one of the first CMDAs in the country, and Lesley says she thought it was an “ideal opportunity” to develop her skills and knowledge.

The partnership enables selected Serco staff to study the Degree Apprenticeship, which is work-based with a mixture of blended learning including lectures and distance learning materials. 

Students also have access to in-house company mentors and training support. The Degree Apprenticeship covers all aspects of business including management, marketing, human resources, finance and operations management.

The 50+ year old says: “I really do believe you should be honing your skills throughout your career. I am not what you would perceive to be a ‘typical’ Apprentice but the course is interesting because it enables me to do it while working.

“I really enjoy the CMDA because the subjects we cover are very relevant to the work scenario. The good thing is it brings theory back in and makes you revisit areas that perhaps you are not as strong on and also introduces you to new areas that are relevant to your work life. 

"Both Serco and the University of Wolverhampton has been extremely supportive. The nature of the course is that it is an online learning course, but two days are spent in a workshop scenario before each module and that is really valuable - you get to meet the facilitators and coaches and that’s great’. 

“Then you are on your own and that can be good and bad at the same time. The good part is that you can study at your own pace and still have support, but the bad is that you have to be good at time management’!

“I’m a real advocate of lifelong learning. I don’t believe that you can go to school, college and then University and enter the workplace and be ready for the rest of your career. I really think you have to make yourself relevant in the workplace’. 

“Times have changed and the opportunity to study a Degree in an Apprenticeship style is a really great opportunity.”

For more information about Degree Apprenticeships click here