National Apprenticeship Week is a week-long celebration that shines a light on the roles apprenticeships play within organisations and the wider economy. This year it is taking place from 9-15 February; the nation-wide event brings employers and apprentices together to recognise the positive impact of this training and development.
Why apprenticeships matter
Practical experience: Our apprentices can develop real world, hands-on skills that support their role and responsibilities.
Professional growth: We invest in people with guidance, structured learning and long-term development for their career.
Future growth: Apprentices represent the new generation of skilled professionals.
Developing skills today, shaping careers for tomorrow
We are proud to support and promote apprenticeships as a powerful way to build meaningful careers and strengthen our workforce. By investing in skills and learning, we help individuals grow professionally while ensuring we develop the future workforce.
With over 700 apprenticeship standards available, the Learning and Development Team is dedicated to opportunities to support talent across our wide range of roles.
Our apprentices
Within Trinity House we have seven apprentices across many departments; here are some thoughts from the apprentices themselves, some settling into the role and others more experienced:
Josie, IT Apprentice
“So far, I have really enjoyed working and learning at Trinity House. Everyone in the IT department has been incredible and has really helped me settle in. I have had a tour of the Harwich offices and Buoy Yard. I have learnt how to image and build laptops. I have been shown how to audit and manage assets through Halo, as well as the IT help desk.
“Recently, I have learnt how we remote access an end user’s account, as well as how to change passwords and how to release blocked emails.
“I am keen to get started on my coursework and learn more.”
Rachel, People & Culture Apprentice
“Within my time at Trinity House, I have learnt a great deal within the People Services department; I am more efficient with my work, knowledge and skills of the department. As I am getting close to the end, this course has set me up with all the foundational knowledge I need to progress within HR.”
Zach, Design Technician Apprentice
“I joined Trinity House in September 2024 as an apprentice design technician, and during my time at Trinity House I have learnt various skills, people, values and what the company provides.
“Trinity House has helped me see into the world of engineering by offering training, learning experiences within my workplace, surrounding me with individuals who are willing to teach me, and overall, a welcoming environment for an apprentice. My skills, understanding of the job role, and the whole engineering department from start to current have been transformed greatly. When I first started Trinity House after joining from college, I knew the fundamentals of what was required to perform the jobs in hand and the basic principles of the software. However, with provided help, training and colleagues, over the past year and four months I have seen exponential growth. This can be seen within my CAD skills, understanding the job role and Trinity House in general. Further making me more efficient and a more confident individual within my job role.
“Over the course of my timeline at Trinity House, I have thoroughly enjoyed what opportunities and challenges have been given to me, and I look forward to continuing to work at Trinity House to help the aids to navigation.”
Recognising the apprentices
Here are some thoughts from team leaders on how having an apprentice has benefitted their team:
Sarah, Learning & Talent Development Lead
“Rachel is making strong progress in her HR level 3 apprenticeship and is consistently building her knowledge by putting what she’s learnt into practice in her day-to-day work. This has been evident in the quality of her contributions and her growing confidence in taking on new tasks. She is a valuable part of our team and it’s fantastic to see her development and the positive impact she’s having. We have been able to support her college learning by giving her projects and specific focus on different areas of the People Services team which, with careful planning, has linked back to her apprenticeship learning increasing both her knowledge and skills. She gets to learn ‘on the job’ but also from her college peers and learn HR best practice from experts by attending college once per month.”
Chris, Technical Manager
“Alex has made a very positive transition into the Field Operations East department after joining us from the Harwich Buoy Yard. This apprenticeship position is set up this way to allow weekly attendance to college for the first two years while working within the Buoy Yard, then move to Field Operations to finish the last two years of evidence-based education. From my perspective, it has been encouraging to see how quickly Alex has adapted to the operational demands of outstation work while bringing with him a strong foundation in electrical and electronic systems. The knowledge and discipline Alex developed working on buoy systems is evident in his approach and understanding when working under supervision on lighthouse-based systems.
“Alex has been able to directly apply his skill set while supporting lighthouse maintenance activities and more recently during lightvessel recommissioning works within the department. His familiarity with both operational and safety processes, technical drawings, systems and standard equipment we use, has added real value and allows Alex to concentrate on furthering his knowledge while outstation, as well as aiding the team with their core duties. Alex demonstrates a willingness to learn, a strong safety mindset, and a growing confidence working in live operational environments. Overall, Alex is developing well as an apprentice, and his background from the Buoy Yard is proving to be a solid platform for his continued growth and contribution within the Field Operations East team.”
Steve, IT Service and Support Manager
“The IT department has welcomed many apprentices over the years, and they consistently bring a fresh perspective to established tasks. As we explain our processes, they often question why certain steps are carried out in a particular way—or whether they are needed at all. This unintended scrutiny is valuable, frequently leading to streamlined workflows and the removal of unnecessary procedures.
“Working with apprentices also benefits the more experienced members of the team, who must learn to communicate clearly with individuals just beginning their careers and often from a different generation. In turn, apprentices gain confidence and develop the skills required to collaborate effectively with long‑standing team members.
“Our apprentices have typically been at an early stage in their career and, as they grow more familiar with the department’s operations, they become increasingly capable, productive, and engaged. They also provide a strong pipeline of future talent, offering natural succession opportunities should vacancies arise during their time with us.”
Rebecca, Audit & Performance Manager
“The Management Systems apprenticeship position was new to the department. Therefore, I didn’t know what to expect from taking on the role of mentoring an apprentice. However, Lauren has proven to be an asset to the department. I have been able to trust Lauren with defined, repeatable, meaningful tasks around document control, and it has been good to see her confidence develop. An apprentice is keen to learn and open to opportunities, as witnessed with Lauren who happily takes on additional duties as requested.”
Moving forwards, the Learning and Talent Development team will be utilising existing relationships and developing new ones to strengthen connections with a wider network of local schools and colleges to identify potential new apprentices and promote other career opportunities.
How you can get involved
If you would like to get involved with this and showcase your career or to explain to young people how your team contributes to Trinity House’s priorities, please let us know. This could be a visit to a local school careers fair, an information assembly, or a group discussion on how you got into your role and what it’s really like – a chance to inspire the next generation of Trinity House colleagues!
Did you know?
- We can offer apprenticeships to existing colleagues as professional development and to gain recognisable qualifications
- We can support with finding a suitable apprenticeship as a recruitment option into several different roles across Trinity House, where on the job qualifications can be achieved, so you may see more apprentices joining your team in the future!
For more information on either, or to discuss anything else relating to apprenticeships, please contact learning@trinityhouse.co.uk.