At just 18 years old, Niamh Wade is already making a significant contribution to the Events and Projects Team here at Luminate Education Group.
After completing her Level 3 in Journalism at Leeds City College’s Quarry Hill campus, Niamh wanted a pathway that would allow her to continue learning while gaining meaningful workplace experience. A Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship offered the ideal balance – combining structured study with real responsibility from day one.
In her role, Niamh supports the planning and delivery of events, awareness days and learner trips, while also contributing to Teaching, Learning and Assessment (TLA) and quality processes within the department. She helps ensure projects are delivered to a high standard and within set timeframes, demonstrating impressive attention to detail and organisation at an early stage in her career. Drawing on her journalism background, she also supports the marketing and promotion of events to staff, students and parents, confidently communicating across a range of platforms.
Her manager, Alisha Brown, has seen remarkable growth in a short space of time:
“Niamh is a fantastic member of the Events and Projects Team. Niamh joined us in August after completing her Level 3 in Journalism at Quarry Hill and has grown tremendously over the last 6 months. Her attention to detail, time management, and communication skills are excellent.
She is continually supporting the department TLA and Quality Process, ensuring the team is maintaining a high quality of work and within the set timeframes. As well as this, Niamh utilises the skills from her Journalism course to support the marketing of our events to staff, students, and parents. Her ability to communicate across a range of platforms and media is very impressive, and I am looking forward to seeing how she grows and develops further in her role.”
Since starting her apprenticeship, Niamh’s confidence has grown significantly. She has built strong working relationships across teams and campuses and feels comfortable asking questions, contributing ideas and communicating professionally with colleagues. The combination of theoretical learning and hands-on experience has allowed her to quickly develop practical skills in organisation, communication and problem-solving.
Niamh credits the supportive environment at Luminate as a key factor in her progress. With encouragement from her manager and apprenticeship tutor, she has taken on new responsibilities and embraced opportunities to work across different areas of the organisation.
For Niamh, the apprenticeship is more than a qualification – it is a foundation for her future career.
“My apprenticeship has allowed me to develop a range of transferable skills. It’s an absolutely amazing opportunity to grow, learn and develop in an inclusive environment – I would do it again in a heartbeat.”
Her advice to others considering an apprenticeship is simple: “Go for it. I have grown and learnt so much by taking on this opportunity.”
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Nikita Somma is already making waves in the butchery world. With a sharp eye for detail, a passion for her craft, and an unstoppable work ethic, she has transformed her apprenticeship into a launchpad for national recognition and ambitious future plans.
Nikita, 24, began her journey in butchery through an in-house apprenticeship with her previous employer. Wanting a formal qualification and the chance to push her skills further, she moved onto a certified Level 2 apprenticeship at Leeds City College.
A typical week for Nikita is busy and hands-on. She is currently stationed in the lamb department, fulfilling customer orders and preparing stock for larger clients. Throughout her apprenticeship, she developed essential technical skills, including knife skills, health and safety, food safety, and her Level 2 Butchery Qualification.
Her manager, Kyle Linley, says: “Nikita is exceptionally dedicated, with outstanding attendance and engagement. She consistently produces high-quality work and demonstrates a genuine passion for butchery, often going above and beyond the programme requirements.”
Nikita completed her 21-month apprenticeship in just 15 months, achieving several elements at Pass with Excellence – a remarkable accomplishment, particularly given she had no prior experience in the trade.
Nikita’s talent has also been recognised nationally. In 2025, she competed in the Battle of the Butchers at The Dalziel Apprentice Butcher Competition, earning the Golden Cleaver Award, as well as Best Innovative Lamb Product and Best Innovative Beef Product. Most recently, her outstanding achievements were celebrated at the Luminate Apprenticeship Awards, where she was named Leeds City College’s Learner of the Year.
On her award, Nikita said: “Winning the Golden Cleaver Award at the Great Yorkshire Show was a huge moment for me. Competing against so many talented apprentices and being recognised was an honour.”
The apprenticeship has had a transformative effect on Nikita’s confidence and career prospects. Initially unsure of her abilities, she says: “Learning alongside people my age and experimenting with different cutting techniques at college made me feel a lot more confident at work.” Support from her team was crucial, ensuring she had access to practical sessions and guidance, which helped her complete the programme ahead of schedule.
Looking ahead, Nikita has ambitious plans. She has applied to join Team GB Butchery, aiming to compete at the World Butchers Challenge in Australia in 2028, and hopes to establish her own educational platform to support women in the butchery industry, creating equal opportunities and mentorship for the next generation.
Reflecting on her apprenticeship, Nikita is a strong advocate for the programme: “Apprenticeships provide invaluable learning opportunities, especially when employers may not have the resources to teach everything in-house. Being able to gain knowledge from tutors, peers, and practical experience is an amazing feeling.”
Nikita’s story is an outstanding example of dedication, skill, and ambition. Her achievements showcase the value of apprenticeships in developing the next generation of industry professionals, while her passion and drive make her an inspiring ambassador for butchers everywhere.
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Kobe McGill began his career in adult care with no prior experience in the field, yet his dedication, empathy, and natural ability to support others quickly set him apart. Now having successfully completed his Level 2 Adult Care apprenticeship, Kobe has progressed into a Level 3 Health Support Worker role. He works as a support worker in a supported living service for adults with learning disabilities, providing care in their own homes and out in the community.
Choosing an apprenticeship allowed Kobe to gain a recognised qualification while applying his learning directly in practice. “I genuinely care about the people I support and want to make a positive difference,” he explains. His journey began with a rigorous interview process, where he impressed the panel – including individuals with learning disabilities he would later support – with his maturity, empathy, and commitment to person-centred care.
From the start, Kobe demonstrated natural strengths in building relationships, de-escalating challenging situations, and providing thoughtful, personalised support. His calm and empathetic approach enabled him to gain the trust of the individuals he worked with, making a meaningful impact on their daily lives.
Throughout his apprenticeship, Kobe consistently met his targets, completed assignments to a high standard, and engaged actively in classroom and practical learning. He developed key skills in person-centred care, safeguarding, understanding relevant laws and legislation, and recognising his responsibilities and boundaries within his role. His apprenticeship tutor, Rosemary Parker, says: “Kobe was highly engaged during teaching sessions, contributing thoughtfully to group and individual activities and demonstrating reflective practice.”
Kobe also made a significant contribution to his peers, offering guidance and reassurance to those experiencing anxiety or struggling with their work, helping to create a supportive and positive learning environment. His commitment and hard work were recognised when he achieved a Merit overall in his End Point Assessment, received an award from his Trust for specialised support and life skills, and most recently, was presented with the Adult Skills Advancement Award at the Luminate Apprenticeship Awards.
Reflecting on his apprenticeship, Kobe says it has had a profound effect on his confidence and professional development: “It helped me develop my decision-making, approach my role more thoughtfully, and see how much I’ve grown in my work.” The experience has strengthened his ambition to progress within adult care and mental health, and his move into a Level 3 Health Support Worker role marks an exciting next step in that journey.
Kobe is a passionate advocate for apprenticeships: “They allow you to learn on the job, build confidence, and gain a recognised qualification at the same time.” His journey demonstrates how dedication, empathy, and structured learning can transform both personal growth and professional practice, making him a valued member of his workplace and an inspiring example for others entering the care sector.
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Valeriia’s journey is a story of extraordinary resilience, determination, and courage. Fleeing the war in Ukraine, she arrived in the UK with no English, leaving behind her family, friends, and everything familiar. Despite the challenges, she embraced her new life with courage, staying with a host family and determined to rebuild her career.
Soon after arriving, Valeriia secured a part-time role in a primary school, and in November 2023 she began her Level 2 apprenticeship at Leeds City College. “Coming back to the education sector in the UK felt like a big achievement,” she recalls. At that time, she had limited understanding of the UK system and professional English, but she approached every challenge with positivity and perseverance, taking online lessons in her own time to improve her skills.
Valeriia’s dedication and talent quickly became apparent. She progressed into a Level 3 apprenticeship in the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Department, supporting the rollout of a new module within the Navigate system – a platform designed for educational institutions to manage and track non-academic activities for learners with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). Her line manager, Emma Valente, notes that her attention to detail, thirst for knowledge, and willingness to challenge poor practices have already made a tangible impact, including improving legally governed processes involving Local Authorities.
A typical week for Valeriia involves audit checks, creating reports, team discussions, and providing administrative support across multiple campuses, alongside her study commitments. “I’ve learned so much about SEND – how the system is organised, different job roles, EHCP plans and reviews, risk assessments, and the importance of values in practice,” she explains. “At first, I doubted myself a lot, but over time I started trusting my skills and my place in the team.” Her apprenticeship has helped her build confidence, trust her working environment, and develop skills that will support her future career.
Valeriia’s perseverance has been recognised both professionally and personally. Her team describe her as hardworking, generous, and kind, with a commitment that extends beyond work – she even spends weekends weaving nets to support her country.
Reflecting on her journey, Valeriia says, “The apprenticeship has shown me that I can be accepted and valued, that I am part of a team, and that it is worth moving forward and exploring opportunities.”
Looking ahead, Valeriia plans to continue her career within education, exploring ways to combine her interests in education, art, and psychology. She is also a strong advocate for apprenticeships: “It can be a pivotal point for starting your career. The support from the team and assessor makes it possible to grow, even if you feel hesitant or face challenges. An apprenticeship allows you to learn, contribute, and explore yourself with the right guidance.”
Valeriia’s journey exemplifies courage, resilience, and the transformative power of apprenticeships. Her achievements highlight not only her personal determination but also the importance of inclusive support and opportunity, making her an inspiring example for anyone navigating a new country, career, or challenge.
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We were thrilled to launch National Apprenticeship Week with an inspiring event at our Printworks Campus, bringing together industry leaders and apprentices to explore the critical role of apprenticeships in AI adoption and the future of skills development.
We were honoured to welcome the Chancellor, Rt Hon Rachel Reeves, and Microsoft UK CEO, Darren Hardman, alongside three outstanding apprentices – Hannah, Ria, and Oliver – who shared their insights on how apprenticeships are opening pathways into AI-driven careers.
The event sparked engaging discussions on how apprenticeships are not only building a strong talent pipeline but also accelerating AI adoption across industries.
AI is often recognised for enhancing efficiency, creativity, and value—key drivers of economic growth. However, without skilled individuals equipped with the right expertise, these opportunities remain untapped.
The panel discussion underscored the transformative impact of apprenticeships in closing the skills gap. Hannah, an Apprentice Data Scientist at Arup, noted, “Data and AI are transforming every sector. Apprenticeships allow you to move beyond the classroom and apply knowledge directly in the workplace.”
Similarly, Ria, a Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft UK, emphasised that “an apprenticeship equips you with the skills to understand and apply AI in ways that create real opportunities for businesses.”
Oliver, a Data Analyst Apprentice at United Utilities, added, “AI holds incredible possibilities, and we’re only beginning to explore them – it’s an exciting time to be involved.”
The event continued with a thought-provoking panel discussion led by Darren Hardman, examining the intersection of business, skills, and regional growth in an AI-driven world.
Joining the conversation were Andrew Byrom, Chief Digital and Information Officer at Leeds City Council; Adrian Berry, Chief Technology Officer at ASDA; and Natalie Wilson, Vice Principal of Skills at Luminate Education Group.
Beyond the panel, the event featured workshops led by careers advisers and AI for Regional Growth roundtables, fostering valuable discussions on the future of work, the evolving skills landscape, and the role of businesses in supporting apprenticeships.
This event was not only a celebration of apprenticeships but also a call to action for businesses and policymakers to invest in workforce development. By embracing these skills, we can drive AI opportunities forward, benefiting both regional and national economies.
The Importance of National Apprenticeship Week
National Apprenticeship Week highlights the vast opportunities apprenticeships provide, ensuring future generations can access career-shaping experiences like those shared by our panellists. As we continue to celebrate throughout the week, we look forward to further discussions on how skills development fuels innovation and economic growth.
A huge thank you to Microsoft, the Chancellor, HM Treasury, and the Leeds City College team for making this event a resounding success!
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