Procurement Higher Apprentice

Changing career later in life : My apprenticeship journey

Meet Greg, a Procurement Higher Apprentice who previously spent 20 years working in hospitality management.

My previous career was fast paced and high pressure, often involving managing large teams and, in my last role, looking after five different coffee shops. I was used to running around, problem solving quickly and keeping people and operations moving, but I never really thought I would be able to substantially change career in my mid-30s.

National Grid was recommended to me by customers, as well as by friends who already worked here. Even then, I did not initially see an apprenticeship as a realistic option. I had already completed a degree, had never worked in procurement, and had never worked in an office environment before. I also questioned whether an apprenticeship would be viable from a salary perspective at this stage in my life.

I was encouraged to see and hear that my previous experience would be valued and appreciated.

What stood out straight away was how welcoming the whole process felt. I was encouraged to see and hear that my previous experience would be valued and appreciated, rather than treated as something separate from the role. The apprenticeship offered the opportunity to learn while earning a fair salary, and to build a long-term career in a new area without feeling like I had to start again from nothing.

My first placement has been in the Overhead Line construction procurement team, while studying towards the CIPS Level 4 Procurement and Supply qualification.

Starting an apprenticeship at a later stage in my career has been a very positive experience so far. Skills I built in hospitality, such as communication, organisation, staying calm under pressure, managing competing priorities and working with lots of different people, have all transferred into procurement more than I expected.

The best part of my experience has been the balance between support and responsibility. I have been able to learn from experienced colleagues, ask questions, take on real work, and build confidence through practical experience rather than just theory.

I have felt encouraged to contribute, share ideas and bring my own perspective.

Over the year, I have supported live tender activity, supplier communications, evaluation work, contract preparation and process improvement, gradually moving from observing procurement activity to taking ownership of defined tasks.

What has surprised me most is how quickly I have felt part of the team and how much responsibility I have been trusted with.

Changing career can feel uncertain, but I have felt encouraged to contribute, share ideas and bring my own perspective. I cannot recommend the scheme enough.

If you are dismissing an apprenticeship because you do not think you would be eligible, because you already have experience, or because you are worried it is too late to change direction, I would definitely encourage you to look into it further.

For me, it has not been a step backwards; it has been a positive step into a new direction, with the structure and support to build a career for the future.