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As part of National Apprenticeship Week, I am proud to reflect on a very special milestone for our Work Based Learning provision and our apprentices.
Alongside my management role, I also have the privilege of teaching and supporting learners on our payroll apprenticeship programmes. On 28th November 2025, I attended the CIPP Graduation Ceremony at the stunning Symphony Hall in Birmingham with Dave Hammersley, our Programme Manager, to celebrate the achievements of our first payroll apprenticeship cohort.
The CIPP graduation is an annual event recognising learners and apprentices who have successfully completed IPPE higher education programmes and Level 5 apprenticeships.
Being part of such a prestigious professional celebration was both inspiring and rewarding, and it was a proud moment to represent our service alongside our apprentices.
For our team, this graduation marked a particularly significant achievement. It celebrated the success of our very first Payroll Assistant Manager apprenticeship cohort, who achieved an exceptional 100% Distinction rate. Seeing learners reach this level of attainment was incredibly rewarding and reflected the high standards, commitment and professionalism demonstrated throughout their programmes.
The ceremony was extremely well attended, bringing together payroll and finance professionals from a wide range of organisations and sectors. It was genuinely uplifting to see so many individuals investing in professional development and lifelong learning, often while balancing demanding roles and personal responsibilities.
The atmosphere reinforced the value of apprenticeships as a powerful route for both entry into and progression within the profession.
One of the proudest moments of the day for me personally was watching one of our apprentices, Tracy M, cross the stage to receive her certificate. Tracy’s journey truly captures what apprenticeships are about. After successfully completing her Level 3 Payroll Administrator apprenticeship with us, she progressed onto the Level 5 Payroll Assistant Manager apprenticeship, demonstrating ambition, resilience and a clear commitment to her professional development.
Throughout her studies, Tracy balanced the demands of managing a busy payroll team alongside family life and the academic expectations of the programme. Like many adult learners, her journey was not without a few wobbles, but her determination and dedication never faltered. Seeing her achievement recognised on such a prestigious stage was an exceptionally proud moment as her tutor.
During the day, Dave and I also had the opportunity to meet with the End-Point Assessment assessors who support our apprentices at the final stage of their programmes. We were delighted to receive such positive feedback about both the apprentices and our provision. Assessors praised the learners’ professionalism, preparedness and depth of payroll knowledge, highlighting the strong standards demonstrated throughout the assessment process.
The graduation was about far more than certificates. It was a celebration of confidence gained, skills developed and careers progressed. It showcased the importance of strong partnerships between apprentices, employers and the training provider, and the impact that high-quality, supportive delivery can have on outcomes.
As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, this milestone feels particularly meaningful. It reminds us why we do this work and the difference apprenticeships can make for individuals and organisations alike.
We are immensely proud of our learners and remain fully committed to delivering high-quality apprenticeship programmes that support progression, professionalism and long-term success.
One of the proudest moments of the day for me personally was watching one of our apprentices, Tracy M, cross the stage to receive her certificate. Tracy’s journey truly captures what apprenticeships are about. After successfully completing her Level 3 Payroll Administrator apprenticeship with us, she progressed onto the Level 5 Payroll Assistant Manager apprenticeship, demonstrating ambition, resilience and a clear commitment to her professional development.