Rachel Ross joined Zenith Training as a Business Administrator Apprentice, taking her first step into full-time employment. With no prior office or compliance experience, the apprenticeship offered Rachel a structured pathway to develop professional skills, gain confidence, and explore future career options while learning on the job.
“I chose the apprenticeship because I wanted real office experience and the chance to learn in a supportive environment. I wasn’t sure what career I wanted, so this felt like a good place to start.”
Learning Through the Apprenticeship
From the outset, Rachel’s apprenticeship provided her with a balance of practical workplace experience and structured learning. As a Data & Compliance Administrator, she began developing core business administration skills such as organisation, communication and the use of Microsoft Office, alongside a growing understanding of quality, compliance and data protection.
Initially unfamiliar with office systems and processes, Rachel quickly built confidence by linking her daily tasks to her apprenticeship standard, supported by regular guidance from her trainer. Over time, she became more independent, organised and confident in managing her workload.
The apprenticeship helped me understand how my everyday tasks linked to the criteria. That made me push myself and take on more responsibility.”
Growth Through Real Responsibility
A key part of Rachel’s development came when she faced an unexpected challenge during her apprenticeship. With changes in the Quality and Compliance team, Rachel found herself supporting the department with increased responsibility earlier than expected.
This experience became a turning point in her learning. By applying the organisational, communication and problem-solving skills developed through her apprenticeship, Rachel was able to manage priorities, ask questions when needed and take ownership of her work.
“It was challenging, but it helped me grow much faster. I learned how to stay calm, organise my tasks and trust my own judgement.”
Developing Professional Skills
Throughout her apprenticeship, Rachel has taken on a wide range of responsibilities that demonstrate her progression. These include quality checking learner files, updating compliance trackers, managing confidential documentation in line with GDPR, and communicating professionally with learners and colleagues by phone and email.
Her apprenticeship has helped her strengthen key skills such as; attention to detail and data accuracy, time management and workload planning, professional communication and telephone confidence, ethical decision-making and confidentiality and confidence in working independently
She has also become responsible for tasks such as petty cash updates, posting certificates, maintaining secure records and tracking learner employment destinations, all evidence of her growing reliability and competence.
Structured Learning and Projects
Alongside her role, Rachel completed a range of core skills and mandatory training sessions, including Emergency First Aid at Work, Digital Marketing, Life Skills, Equality, GDPR and Safeguarding. These sessions supported her wider personal development and strengthened her understanding of workplace expectations.
A standout part of her apprenticeship was completing a mini project, where Rachel managed the entire process from planning to delivery and presentation. This project helped her develop leadership, organisation and communication skills, while building confidence in presenting her work to others.
Managing my own project helped me realise how much I’d grown. It gave me confidence to speak up and take ownership of my work.”
Support and Progress
Rachel’s apprenticeship journey has been supported by regular one-to-one meetings with her manager and consistent guidance from her trainer. This support has helped her reflect on feedback, build evidence for her portfolio and continue progressing against the apprenticeship standard.
Her commitment and development were recognised when she was awarded Employee of the Month early in her apprenticeship, with colleagues highlighting her resilience, adaptability and positive attitude during a demanding period.
Looking Forward
Reflecting on her apprenticeship so far, Rachel feels proud of how much she has developed both professionally and personally.
I came into the apprenticeship wanting to learn. Now I feel confident, independent and like I’m genuinely contributing to the team.”
With a strong foundation of business administration skills, real workplace experience and increased confidence, Rachel’s apprenticeship has prepared her well for future opportunities and she continues to build on this as she progresses her career at Zenith Training.
