Higher Apprentice Associate Project Manager

Starting again: Why an Apprenticeship was the fresh start Selina needed

A few years ago, if you'd told me I'd be building a career in project management through an apprenticeship, I probably wouldn't have believed you.

Like many parents, I took time away from my career to raise my two sons. While I worked part-time during that period, I knew there would come a point where I'd want to return to full-time work and focus on building a long-term career again. The challenge was finding an opportunity that would allow me to make that transition while continuing to develop my skills and create a secure future for my family.

That's exactly what I found at National Grid.

Taking a Different Path

When I came across National Grid's Higher Apprentice Associate Project Manager programme, it immediately stood out to me.

I wasn't looking for just a job. I was looking for an opportunity that would invest in me, help me learn new skills, and provide a clear pathway for the future.

What attracted me most was the chance to earn while I learned. The apprenticeship offered structured development, professional qualifications, hands-on experience and the opportunity to build a long-term career, all at the same time.

For someone returning to the workforce after a career break, it felt like the perfect combination.

You Don't Have to Start From Scratch

One of my biggest concerns was whether I'd be at a disadvantage because I didn't come from a project management or construction background.

What I've discovered is that the skills you've built throughout your life really do matter.

Whether it's communication, organisation, problem solving or working with different people, so many of the skills I'd developed through previous roles and raising a family have been valuable in my apprenticeship journey.

Of course, I've learned a huge amount since joining National Grid. That's the purpose of an apprenticeship. But I haven't felt like I was starting from zero. Instead, I've been able to build on the experience I already had while developing entirely new skills and gaining confidence in a new field.

A Year of Growth and Opportunity

Looking back on my first year, it's been one of the biggest periods of personal and professional growth I've experienced.

I've had opportunities to lead my own project, work with colleagues across the business and even help organise a large volunteering event involving apprentices and graduates from across National Grid.

Those experiences have pushed me outside my comfort zone in the best possible way.

The support I've received from my managers and colleagues has also helped me explore career paths I hadn't previously considered. I've been encouraged to learn, ask questions, try new things and think differently about what my future could look like.

It's genuinely been a year of investment in myself.

Why National Grid?

What makes National Grid different for me is the combination of development, opportunity and stability.

As someone returning to work, I wanted more than a short-term role. I wanted to know that the effort I was putting into learning and developing would lead somewhere.

At National Grid, I can see the opportunities ahead of me. There are so many different career paths, specialisms and progression opportunities available, and that's incredibly motivating.

I'm not just learning for today. I'm building skills that will support me throughout my career.

Looking Ahead

Taking the leap into an apprenticeship was one of the best decisions I've made.

It has given me the chance to return to the workplace with confidence, gain new qualifications, develop valuable skills and build a career with long-term potential.

Most importantly, it has shown me that it's never too late to try something new.

You don't need to have all the answers. You don't need the perfect background. Sometimes you just need the courage to take that first step.

Thinking About Your Next Move?

Whether you're leaving school, changing careers, returning to work after raising a family, or simply looking for a fresh start, don't rule out an apprenticeship.

I nearly did.

But taking a chance on myself opened up opportunities I never expected and gave me a career path I'm genuinely excited about.

If you're exploring your options, I'd encourage you to be open-minded, focus on your potential rather than your past experience, and take a look at the opportunities available at National Grid. You never know where that first step could lead.