This week is National Apprenticeship week, celebrating the valuable work that apprentices do and the positive impact they make to communities, businesses, and the wider economy.

Apprenticeships provide an alternative path to education and a chance for apprentices to learn valuable skills to further their careers. Apprentices fill a valuable role in the sport & leisure sector, helping employers to develop a skilled workforce.

For National Apprenticeship Week, we talked to Rosie Grimes, Apprentice Business Administrator at Active Lincolnshire, to find out more about her experience of carrying out an apprenticeship with us.

Tell us a bit about yourself

My name is Rosie and I joined Active Lincolnshire in February 2023. I am currently an apprentice at Active Lincolnshire completing a level 3 business administration standard through Lincoln College. I enjoy my role at Active Lincolnshire as I get to work with every member of the team on a variety of tasks. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends; at the weekend you’d either find me taking my cockerpoo on a long walk or watching my partner play football on a Sunday morning. I also love to travel, whether that’s exploring a new place in the UK or abroad!

What is your role at Active Lincolnshire?

My role at Active Lincolnshire is an Apprentice Business Administrator. Day to day I support the team with anything admin related -whether this is supporting the organisation of events, booking meeting rooms, supporting the team’s projects, or ensuring documentation is up to date. This means that I do a variety of tasks and therefore learn lots of different things! As well as this, my role is combined with my Lincoln College Level 3 business administration standard, which supports me to learn more about the role of a business administrator. Within this I complete a lot of research and coursework-based tasks and have the opportunity to lead on my own project!

Why did you decide to do an apprenticeship?

I decided to do an apprenticeship after leaving a university course. I liked the idea of learning whilst getting job experience at the same time. As well as earning whilst you learn. The skills I am learning in my apprenticeship are hugely transferrable which supports me in my role and for the future.

What are some of your highlights over the last year, and what do you find most rewarding?

Over the last year, some of my highlights have included a Women & Girls in Sport event; this was my first event experience and I got to meet lots of different people working in the sector. And learn more about the barriers which women and girls face in sport and physical activity. Another highlight is the Lincolnshire Show, this was great for me to learn about event planning and watching it all come together was amazing! Then finally was our Lincolnshire Sport and Physical Activity Awards night which was something totally different and new to me; the room was filled with such inspirational and successful people, it was great to be able to part of their journeys and see people being recognised for their successes and hard work.

Being part of something that makes a difference to people makes my job more rewarding and makes me feel proud to be part of Active Lincolnshire. I know that the work I am doing contributes to a wider purpose which makes it even more worth doing!

What have you learnt during your apprenticeship so far, and what new skills have you gained?

During my apprenticeship I have learned more about the sport and physical activity sector, seeing more of the behind the scenes of how sport and physical activity is delivered in the county. I have also learnt more about business and how an organisation works, whether this is what a stakeholder is or how to write an appropriate email! I think my apprenticeship has helped my confidence too, I’ve learned about myself and my capabilities in the past year which has helped me both in my work and personal life.

Apprenticeships - Find out More

Find out more about National Apprenticeship week

Search for an apprenticeship on the Government website

Apprenticeships with Lincoln College

PE and School Sport Apprenticeships through Inspire+

CIMSPA

The sport and physical activity sector’s employer-led apprenticeship trailblazer is facilitated and supported by CIMSPA. Through the creation of six apprenticeship standards, CIMSPA's goal is to provide their members and the wider public with access to exceptional levels of education and support, and sport and activity sector employers with the best possible apprenticeship pathway.

Find out more