This year’s National Apprenticeship Week celebrates the theme ‘Skills for Life’, recognising how apprenticeships go beyond qualifications, building confidence, resilience and independence that last long after the training ends.
With the right encouragement and opportunities, apprenticeships can be life-changing. Neema’s* journey with Positive Steps shows exactly how these life-long skills can change the direction of a person’s future.
Positive Steps, an Oldham-based charity, empowers people across Greater Manchester to overcome challenges and realise their potential — not just in work, but in life. Their team builds trusted relationships, offering career guidance while supporting wellbeing, confidence and independence. With support from Re:vision, the subsidiary charity of Procure Plus, Positive Steps has been able to reach even more people, helping them access tailored services and opportunities to move towards their goals.
When Neema first walked into a Positive Steps careers drop-in, she was at a challenging turning point. Having recently left school, she had started an A-Level programme at Oldham Sixth Form College but was struggling with the workload and feeling unsettled in the college environment.
Alongside her studies, she was juggling a part-time job at JD Sports, which, despite being tiring due to the long commute, she found more engaging and fulfilling than her college experience so far.
Recognising her potential and strong work ethic, the Positive Steps team paired Neema with Cynthia, an experienced mentor, who helped her explore her strengths, interests and ambitions. Through this guidance, Neema gained confidence, clarity and direction, enabling her to continue her studies while building the skills and resilience to navigate the next steps of her journey.
This support inspired Neema to take a new direction. She enrolled on a Level 3 BTEC in Business and Finance at Manchester College while continuing to work part-time. Still keeping in touch with Positive Steps, Neema started volunteering as an Oldham Lead on the Greater Manchester Youth Council.
This experience was transformational, giving Neema the chance to strengthen her communication and leadership skills, form new connections, and find her voice.
Over the next two years, Positive Steps continued to support her journey, offering encouragement and guidance while she balanced college, work, and volunteering — and before long, Neema completed the two-year BTEC course with distinctions and began exploring her higher education options.
With continued support from Positive Steps, she applied for a degree apprenticeship in finance with a company in Salford Quays, affiliated with Manchester Metropolitan University. She received help with her application and interview preparation, putting the skills she had developed over time into practice. Her commitment and hard work paid off, and Neema was successfully offered the apprenticeship.
Today, Neema is thriving in her new apprenticeship. She continues to embrace new challenges, equipped with the skills and self-belief she developed through her journey with Positive Steps.
“Neema’s experience illustrates that the journey to an apprenticeship doesn’t have to start as soon as you leave school. Apprenticeships are flexible and can help people gain the skills they need for any role — whether entry level, postgraduate, or anywhere in between,” said Kate Parker, Social Value Strategy Lead at Procure Plus.
“Everyone benefits from engaging with apprenticeships, which is why we work so closely with our supply chain to create over 100 apprenticeship opportunities each year — they are a great way for employers to invest in their teams, and for individuals to invest in their careers.
“We’re thrilled that Neema is now flourishing and wish her every success with her apprenticeship and her future career.”
Everyone’s journey to their dream job is unique and Procure Plus is proud to support organisations, like Positive Steps, who help local people succeed in their early careers while nurturing confidence and self-belief.
*Name changed for anonymity
