Memories of school put many people off learning for life! 

But, at the age of 40, Terry Hatt is embracing apprenticeships to forge a more promising future with his employer.

New Approach to Learning

Terry works for St Austell Brewery in the South West; he joined them when he was 19 years old. He’s a self professed non-academic and had already given up on learning when he started with the company as a drivers’ mate. 

After more than two decades with the brewer, apprenticeships have given him – and his employer – a new vision for the future. In fact, the accessibility of apprenticeships has allowed him to set his sights on becoming a depot manager.

Terry first enrolled on a supply chain operator apprenticeship in 2022, after his promotion to team leader.  As well as learning about running an effective traffic office, he obtained his maths and English GCSE equivalent as part of the course. After nearly 20 years away from the classroom he began to embrace learning as a career stepping stone.

Career Progression

He has followed up by enrolling on TRS’s transport and warehouse operations supervisor apprenticeship at level three. This will give him a qualification equivalent to A-levels and a pathway to the transport manager role he has set his sights on.  He says:

“I really wasn’t interested in learning at school and that has stayed with me for most of my adult life. Until now! 

“I had no idea what to expect when St. Austell first gave me the opportunity to work towards a qualification decades after leaving school.

The apprenticeships have been about so much more than just getting my CPC.

“It surprised me as much as anybody how I would enjoy learning. Not only do I have a recognised qualification; my self-awareness, confidence and industry knowledge have all rocketed. 

“Most of my learning has been virtual and run at convenient times. It has gifted me the chance to network and collaborate with fellow apprentices in similar roles across different industries. It’s opened my eyes and for the first time I am optimistic about career progression.”

Celebrating Successes

George McDonald is Terry’s line manager, he told us:

“I’ve worked with Terry since he started; learning with TRS has given him confidence to take his career to the next level.  He has played a major role in supporting the company to achieve competency across processes and regulations. His improved approach to things like risk assessment, health and safety and how we communicate have had a positive impact here.’

Kerry Wilson, one of TRS’s business development managers is full of praise for Terry. She says: 

“It’s fabulous to see such an enthusiastic learner, someone who didn’t care much for school but is now thoroughly enjoying a different style of education. St Austell Brewery is putting apprenticeships to work very effectively. The entire team is supportive of Terry’s progression through learning.”

Retain and Nurture Your Talent

Apprenticeships are relevant to any firm or staff member. The employer will never pay more than 5% of the training costs, it doesn’t matter about the employee’s age, academic ability or career stage.

Employers continue to pay the wages of the apprentice and give them some time off to study.  There is no upper age limit for enrolling your staff on apprenticeships and it can help you retain and nurture talent, whilst improving staff confidence and competence.