London woman urges more people to take on an apprenticeship ahead of National Apprenticeship Week

Since then, Katerina has thrown herself into her new career, taking on not one but two apprenticeships. Katerina, who lives in Islington, is sharing her story ahead of National Apprenticeship Week (10-16 February).

As Katerina prepares to take her Final End Point Assessment for her Customer Service Specialist Level 3 apprentice, she reflects on the challenges and rewards of completing two apprenticeships.

“I’ve found both apprenticeships to be an incredibly rewarding experience, because they have allowed me to grow both personally and professionally. I’m constantly learning new things, whether it’s about the technical aspects of the job, customer service strategies, or how the rail industry works behind the scenes.

“In my Level 3 apprenticeship, I’ve gained an understanding on how the railway operates behind the scenes and have a much deeper appreciation for what it takes to deliver excellent service. This apprenticeship has certainly highlighted the importance of teamwork and how every single one of us in the railway plays a part in ensuring smooth operations. Being part of that team is incredibly rewarding.”

Originally from Czech Republic, Katerina, 41, came to the UK in 2002 for a gap year to learn English and never left. Eighteen years later, Katerina joined the word of rail which is when she started her first apprenticeship - the Customer Service Practitioner Level 2. This inspired Katerina to continue learning.

“My first apprenticeship – Customer Service Practitioner Level 2 - opened so many doors, and I saw how continuing my education in the railway could lead to even greater opportunities, so I decided to start the Level 3 course. It gave me the confidence to progress my career, and I felt empowered to successfully apply for a mentorship role in our depot.

“My managers have been incredibly supportive during this process. It can be challenging balancing a full-time job and learning, but I feel incredibly lucky to have had my managers behind me.”

Katerina is encouraging more people to take on an apprenticeship to boost their industry knowledge and develop their career.

“As an apprentice, you will learn so much on the job. Ask questions, take notes, and soak up as much knowledge as you can from your colleagues, mentors and people around you. I can tell you from my own experience, it’s a fantastic opportunity and with your hard work it can set you up for a long and successful career.”