Natalie Winterton: My Recruitment Apprenticeship

Natalie Winterton is a consultant at BPS World, and started off her recruitment career with an apprenticeship. Last year, Natalie took home the coveted Apprentice of the Year award at the IRP Awards, with the judges commenting: "the recruitment industry needs people like Natalie." 

To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, we asked Natalie what it was about an apprenticeship that appealed to her, and what her experience was like.

Why an apprenticeship, and why in recruitment?

An apprenticeship offered me an opportunity to follow a new career path in a completely different direction to the one I had been following, whilst allowing me to continue my educational development which is something I was highly focussed on doing.

The reason I chose recruitment is because I’d always been very target driven and I enjoyed the idea of being able to really challenge and push myself, whilst making a difference in my candidate’s lives.

What was the most challenging part of your apprenticeship?

Learning how to balance my coursework and my day-to-day responsibilities as a recruiter. I feel very lucky to have done my apprenticeship with BPS World as they offered an immense amount of support during my apprenticeship, including dedicated study time during work hours, which was a great help when it came to doing webinars!

What did you enjoy most about your apprenticeship?

Being able to learn more about different sides of the recruitment industry through my qualification, allowing me to build a greater understanding of the business and industry as a whole.

What would you tell someone just starting their recruitment apprenticeship?

Remember that everyone around you is there to support and guide you to success. I know that asking questions - especially if you’re new to the industry - can be daunting, but your colleagues and managers are amazing resources when it comes to gaining knowledge, so use them!

What was it like winning Apprentice of the Year at the 2017 IRP Awards?

It was a feeling like no other. When I walked off stage and back to my table, the first thing I did was thank my managing director Simon Conington because without him, I wouldn’t be standing here today as BPS’ second Apprentice of the Year winner! Every time I think of the awards night and everything leading up to it, I feel incredibly proud of all I’ve achieved and thankful to those who supported my journey.

Has anything changed for you since your IRP Awards win?

I would say that I feel even more of a duty to help mentor and guide our new apprentices in the business. I want to be able to share that feeling with others, and hopefully help another budding BPS apprentice win Apprentice of the Year at the 2018 IRP Awards!

Would you recommend an apprenticeship to others?

Definitely! If anyone I know tells me that they want a career change, I always suggest considering an apprenticeship.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Remotely working from the newly established BPS World Bora Bora is the dream! However, that may be a little longer than five years away so before then, I see myself in a managerial role, either managing BPS World employees or clients, and the proud owner of a Level 4 Diploma in Recruitment Management.

Learn more about recruitment apprenticeships, and if you're an apprentice, tell us what it is you love about yours on Twitter or Instagram using #NAW2018 - we want to celebrate your great work!

National Apprenticeship Week is co-ordinated by the National Apprenticeship Service to celebrate apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy.