Higher Apprentice in Profile: Rob Pickup

As part of our Apprenticeship Week 2024 celebrations and our ‘Big Futures’ work we’re celebrating some of our amazing apprentices and the great work their doing on their higher apprenticeship experiences.

Rob Pickup – Level 6 Career Development Apprentice

How did you first learn about the apprenticeship opportunity, and what motivated you to pursue it?

Credit must mainly go to my former line manager Sadie from my previous employer Bath College. Having expressed my desire to progress professionally, Sadie identified an opportunity to qualify as a Careers Adviser.

Can you describe the skills or knowledge you hoped to gain through this apprenticeship?

Firstly, studying an apprenticeship was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down. I have never been very academic and going to university never appealed to me.

It has allowed me to develop skills and knowledge in all things Career Guidance. The best way to support a client based on their situation or goals. The ability to understand why policies/legislations are made and implemented.

How has the apprenticeship programme aligned with your career goals and aspirations?

I’ve had a very varied career history and truthfully until about 18 months ago probably didn’t really know what sector or industry I wanted to be in. Undertaking this qualification has helped me identify that the career guidance sector is definitely the industry I want to pursue, develop and further my career in.

Have there been any unexpected benefits or opportunities that have arisen from your apprenticeship experience?

Since starting my apprenticeship, I have actually changed roles and am now in a more prominent Careers role. This in turn has allowed me to expand my network and make connections with high profile people and organisations. Which only adds to developing my knowledge and skills.

What advice do you have for others considering or currently pursuing an apprenticeship in your field?

If a personal motivation of yours is supporting/helping/developing people than this apprenticeship is definitely worth undertaking.

It is the highest-level qualification I have ever studied at and don’t be fooled that because it’s an apprenticeship it’s somehow easier because it isn’t. Fortunately, I have a very supportive employer, but I am still having to combine studying to a degree level, full time job, relationship, and social life. You will spend weekends writing assignments or undertaking research because that is the commitment level required to achieve the qualification.

There will be times when you think ” what is the point in me learning this ” or feeling overwhelmed and thinking “why did I sign up to this”. This is all natural and will happen.

Ultimately it is very hard work but very rewarding and worth the effort you put in.

How have you found working with Call of the Wild?

Working with Call of The Wild has been good. Truthfully didn’t know anything about the provider until I was shown the opportunity to develop.

Meet with my assessor roughly once every three weeks to review progress and identify areas to work on.

Around halfway through I also changed jobs which logistically behind the scenes can cause a real upset with regards to funding i.e but Call of The Wild were amazing and very supportive during the transition.

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