Our work is led by our amazing Council of current and recent apprentices. They bring a wealth of personal experience and knowledge to guide decisions about the Association’s strategy and focus.
Click on a member of the Council below to find out more about them.
L3 Rail Engineering, Network Rail
My name is Adelaja Aladejobi (Ade). I have MSc, BSc in Logistics and supply chain management and Economic statistic. I have an acumen of various industry for over 15 years industrial experience. After a career change, I decided to join Network Rail on apprenticeship Level 3 Rail Engineering because I believe university won’t give me the technical skills, behaviour and knowledge required to achieve my goals as a railway maintenance technician engineer. It was a major mind opener and a career path I will always encourage others to follows.Â
L6 Architectural Degree Apprentice, Grimshaw Architects
Emaan Asif is a Level 6 Architectural Degree Apprentice at Grimshaw Architects, studying architecture part time at London South Bank University. Having chosen an apprenticeship as an alternative route into architecture, Emaan is passionate about championing apprenticeships, widening access to the built environment and ensuring young people have a stronger voice in shaping their opportunities. Alongside her studies and work, she is involved in initiatives supporting young people and early career professionals across the built environment.
L6 Chartered Business Manager Degree Apprentice, Moore Networking Ltd
Apprenticeships must run through my blood at this point. I have been working in the apprenticeships, employment and careers sector for 9 years now, starting off as an Advanced Apprentice Youth Worker at Norfolk County Council in 2015, completing in 2017. I started to develop a passion for apprenticeships during my time as Member of Youth Parliament for Norwich South (2014-2016), as the two campaign areas I was focused on was Mental Health in young people and Youth Employment. I was never informed about apprenticeships in school or sixth form, so I wanted to boost apprenticeship knowledge across education. The apprenticeship I then moved into gave me the perfect platform to continue doing this, aiming to go above and beyond where I could.Â
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I have a strong passion developing apprenticeship programmes. This includes supporting/mentoring other apprentices, supporting organisations to develop apprenticeship programmes, and ensuring quality runs throughout. I work for a not-for-profit Flexi-Job Apprenticeship Agency, working with 30+ training providers to ensure quality is maintained, influencing Government/future Government policies, and working with Local Government on community projects. I am the East of England Co-Chair for the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, and I am now delighted to be on the AoA Council. What an amazing tool and platform for apprentices!Â
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I am over the moon to have received recognition as AAC National Apprenticeship Champion of the Year 2024, NAS Apprenticeship Champion of the Year for the East in 2023 and Apprentice Youth Worker of the Year 2017, as well as leading a company to 3 awards. These are all experiences I hope to support others in achieving in the future.Â
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In my spare time, I love spending time with family and friends, exploring and adventuring new places. I coach tennis part time, and still play it too.
L4 Business Improvement Practitioner (Project Management), Home Office
Richard Darwesh is a long-serving Civil Servant with around 25 years of experience, currently working within the Home Office’s Criminal and Financial Investigation directorate in Central London which deal with serious and complex investigations looking into Immigration Crime. Throughout his career, he has developed extensive operational experience while maintaining a strong commitment to continuous learning, colleague support and business improvement. His apprenticeship journey has played an important part in his professional development, enabling him to strengthen his leadership, people management and project delivery skills through work-based learning. Richard is at EPA for a Level 4 Business Improvement and Project Management apprenticeship. As an Apprenticeship Champion for the Home Office, he is passionate about promoting apprenticeships, sharing his experience and encouraging colleagues to recognise that learning and career development can take place at any stage of working life.Â
Level 5 Coaching Professional, Liberty Specialty Markets
With over 35 years of work experience in a multitude of industries, starting out as a PA Secretary and moving into the Project and Portfolio Management world in the early noughties, I imagined that this was going to be me done until retirement.
Having discovered that apprenticeships are not just for school leavers, but are available to all ages, I pursued my dream of becoming a coach by undertaking and passing an L5 apprenticeship as a Coaching Professional at the age of 54.  This has enabled me to support colleagues in the Insurance industry in such areas as career development, goal setting, imposter syndrome, public speaking and time management.  I am currently following this up with a CPD course in Team and Group coaching to extend my offering.
Alongside my day job of Data and Tooling Analyst in our technology space, I sit on two inclusion networks focusing on Cultural Awareness and Hidden Disabilities, including neurodiversity which enables me to gain a greater understanding in these areas whilst supporting colleagues and the company’s DEI values.
In my ‘spare’ time I am a carer for my elderly mother and enjoy spending time with friends and pursuing my enjoyment of good food and wine.
L3 Engineering & Manufacturing Support Technician Apprentice, AvantiGas Ltd
I am a 21-year-old Technical Engineer Apprentice with AvantiGas Ltd, currently completing my Level 3 Engineering & Manufacturing Support Technician apprenticeship through the University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre. During my apprenticeship, I have developed experience across CAD, 3D printing, industrial robotics and CNC machining, alongside supporting technical engineering work within my employer.
Outside of my day-to-day role, I have also looked for opportunities to promote engineering and apprenticeships, including taking part in BBC Radio 4, STEM activities and wider professional development opportunities. My experience of balancing employment, training and academic work has made me particularly interested in improving the support, representation and sense of community available to apprentices.
As a member of the National Apprentice Council, I hope to represent apprentices honestly, listen to experiences from different sectors and backgrounds, and contribute to projects that make a genuine difference to the apprentice journey.
L6 Digital Technology Solutions Apprentice, NG BaileyÂ
L4 Project Management, Via East Midlands
Bilaal started medical school but concluded that Medicine wasn’t for him. Deciding to volunteer and work in the third sector, the skills he developed during this year at a food bank, a clothes bank, two non-profits, and a charity where he ran a branch, led to his successful application at Via, a highways and civil engineering company owned by Nottinghamshire County Council. Here, in the public and private sector, he upholds the values that drove his third sector experiences within his projects, whilst applying his analytical approach to problem-solving.
Bilaal is also a Mental Health First Aider and led the relaunch of Via’s mental health initiatives. His current main project is implementing drones and he has a specific remit for empowering colleagues across the company to initiate change for the better through a structured staff suggestion scheme. Speaking to parliamentarians during his 11th week as an apprentice, Bilaal identified challenges that aspiring apprentices face and aims to tackle this with AoA. Bilaal enjoys playing Ultimate Frisbee in his free time having improved his throw during the pandemic.
L3Â HR Support Apprentice, BBCÂ
Level 4 Software Developer, Colchester Teacher Training Consortium
I always knew I wanted to earn while I learn in which field I was not sure. However, I knew I did have a passion for IT and fixing things!
I have a strong passion for showing newly joined apprentices my experiences of my apprenticeship, as well as showing the day to day life of what it’s like to step straight into work after school!
In my spare time I do really enjoy going out with my mates and socializing, especially escape rooms! I really do like them, they are very interesting and are a great brain teaser!
I do think AoA is a great tool for apprentices, to not only connect but the platform also offers a great insight into shared experiences of what people have gone through during their time as an apprentice!
L7 Solicitor Degree Apprentice, Weightmans
Ironically, I owe a lot to the pandemic – it pushed me into a gap year that gave me plenty of time to research and think about my career. Despite being branded as destined to just go to University, I have always had a special affinity for degree apprenticeships, as they simply provide opportunities and maximise learning in ways that other routes do not. For this reason, I am passionate about the promotion and accessibility of apprenticeships, as well as dispelling myths and misconceptions surrounding them. I strongly believe that the work of the Association of Apprentices to plug the gap in the social side of our route to strengthen the existing network and assemble our ideas is invaluable.
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Furthermore, I am an ambassador for Liverpool City Region ‘Be More’, overseen by the North-West Apprentice Ambassador Network, and a Diversity and Inclusion champion at my firm. Aside from work, University, and other commitments, you will most likely find me out for dinner with friends or shopping at Zara.Â
L6 Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprentice, Arup
Hannah started working at Arup at age 16 and completed a Level 3 Software Development Technician Apprenticeship. She is now in her fourth year of the Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship at Manchester Metropolitan University and is specialising in Data Analytics. Â
She is proud to be a STEM Ambassador who promotes STEM and apprenticeships to young people through outreach projects. Through her work she aims to inspire young people and encourage them to consider apprenticeships and careers in STEM. She often speaks to teachers and students about her career journey, the different careers in STEM and the benefits of apprenticeships.Â
She was appointed as Arup’s Early Career Representative’s Apprenticeship Lead and works closely with the Early Careers team to improve the experience of apprentices at Arup and advocate for apprentices.Â
L4 PR & Communications Apprentice, AmeyÂ
Annabel is a Communications Advisor at Amey, specialising in internal communications and employee engagement. She graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2025 with a degree in History and was keen to continue developing her skills through further study. She is currently completing her Level 4 PR and Communications apprenticeship, which is helping her broaden her knowledge across all areas of communications while gaining valuable hands-on experience.
Annabel is passionate about the benefits of learning while you earn and believes apprenticeships offer a valuable opportunity for people at all stages of their careers. She is particularly interested in supporting others on similar journeys and sharing her experience. She is excited to be part of the Association of Apprentices and values the support, resources and community it provides.
L6 Software Engineering Apprentice, Thales
When she finished college, Emma wanted to gain workplace experience immediately, so an apprenticeship suited her perfectly. She enjoys the many opportunities the apprenticeship has given her and looks forward to what’s to come as she feels her apprenticeship could lead her into a number of routes in the future.Â
She is a Greater Manchester Apprentice Ambassador and part of the YAAN. She is also a Digital Her role model for Manchester Digital, encouraging young women into digital careers. In her free time, Emma scrapbooks to wind down and plays a variety of games, sometimes with friends and family. It’s reported that her favourite is The Sims!
L3 IT Azure Cloud Specialist Technician, AQAÂ
Hi, I’m Maya, and I work in tech at AQA Education, where I work in a large variation of projects across the organisation. I began my career as an apprentice over a year ago, which has given me a strong foundation in technology and allowed me to understand what I want to niche down into  in the future.Â
For the past four years, I’ve also volunteered as a teacher and mentor, which has shown me how valuable guidance and support can be in helping others reach their potential. This passion for mentoring is something I hope to bring into my role on the AoA Apprentice Council.Â
Outside of work, I enjoy sports, travelling, and baking. In the long term, I hope to bring together my skills in technology, my passion for helping others, and my interest in business to build a career that makes a positive impact. I hope to be able to use AoA to meet new people, explore as many opportunities as possible, while continuing to growing both personally and professionally.Â
L4Â Financial Markets Apprentice, Standard Chartered
After completing my A levels in June 2022, I started my apprenticeship journey at Standard Chartered in August 2022 working in Financial Markets. Â
A year into working at the bank, my qualification changed and I began a completely new apprenticeship. I had no idea what to expect which is when I discovered the Association of Apprentices! I attended a networking event and was so encouraged by the amount of apprentices working across various industries that shared relatable experiences and helpful advice. The resources on AoA Connect really helped me to better understand the apprenticeship process and also allowed me to help my peers. Â
Thanks to AoA, I learned to enjoy my apprenticeship even more and have had amazing opportunities as a result of being a member. I am now two years in the sector and a year into my qualification, soon to be a completed apprentice! Â
I love that AoA brings apprentices together from all of the country and across so many different  industries. I am a huge advocate for apprenticeships, I want as many people as possible to have access to the amazing opportunities I’ve been lucky enough to be given and I’m really fortunate to be able to further my ambassadorial work with AoA. Apprenticeships have come a long way but there’s always room for improvement and I hope I can be a part of changing them for the better. I’m so excited to be a part of the council and contribute towards the fantastic work they have already done. Most importantly, I’m really looking forward to connecting with the community!
L4 Associate Project Manager, Lumi and LumiereÂ
A multi-award-winning leader with a legacy of transforming apprenticeships, education, and talent programs on a global scale. I’ve championed diversity, inclusion, and strategic innovation across industries, guiding thousands of individuals towards meaningful careers and impacting organisations at the highest levels. As a forward-thinking Global Head of Apprenticeships and Talent Programs, I’ve not only developed and implemented national standards but also pioneered projects that have earned multiple Royal Awards and recognition for excellence in education and workforce development.Â
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Throughout my career, I’ve held pivotal roles as a Consultant, Apprenticeship Ambassador, Policy Advisor, NED, Board Member and Trailblazer Chair, leading the charge in shaping future skills strategies. I’m passionate about driving systemic change through collaboration and advocacy, ensuring that apprenticeships and talent development programs remain accessible, diverse, and high-impact.Â
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With a wealth of experience managing cross-sector teams, influencing policy, and designing future-proof workforce solutions, I am committed to making a lasting difference. I am eager to explore new opportunities where I can continue to lead, innovate, and mentor the next generation of talent and organisational leaders.Â
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Let’s connect to create impactful change and build a future where everyone has access to opportunities that empower them to thrive.Â
L3 Technician Engineering Apprentice, Network Rail
My name is Sebastian, and I am currently a Rail Management Engineer Apprentice with Network Rail, specialising in Technical Engineering for Rail Infrastructure and Track Maintenance. Before joining the rail industry, I founded Sebo Media and taught myself Final Cut Pro X, Premier Pro, Photoshop, and After Effects. Â
I also hold an NVQ in Digital Marketing, with experience in planning and optimising digital strategies and social media campaigns. I contributed to the Bridge Street Development Memorial project with Peterborough City Council and helped set up an Education Centre in Mumbai. As a Council member and Events Ambassador for the Association of Apprentices (AoA), I work to enhance AoA events and empower apprentices. Â
In my free time, I enjoy mountain biking, wakeboarding, building Lego, traveling, and indulging in fine red wine and tequila.
L6 Applied Professional Engineering, Jaguar Land Rover
I’m an award-winning degree apprentice at JLR in APEP Electrical and Electronics Engineering, working as a Propulsion Engineer. Alongside my role on the council, I mentor and tutor students in different communities reach their potential, but I have a heightened interest in engineering and technology so that’s the industries you will see me talking  about most.
As a council member I hope to raise engagement and help the people with the quietest volume in a room be heard. Because their voices matter most! 
L5 Operations Management, SikaÂ
I often like to joke that I went the long way round to finally start my apprenticeship as it had been a goal since I left school. Alongside my Operations Graduate scheme at Sika, I am completing a Level 5 Operations Management apprenticeship. I’ve loved the journey so far and being able to apply my learning directly to the workplace.
Before starting my apprenticeship, I achieved my first class BSc (Hons) Business and Marketing where I held several ambassador and representative roles. These experiences demonstrated the value of community and advocacy in shaping opportunities. The Association of Apprentices has been a valuable part of my experience so far in connecting with peers, learning from others, and shaping my future ambitions and I look forward to having the opportunity to give back.
Outside of work I’m an ambassador with Girls Who Walk Preston CIC, helping run events and support my local community. When I’m not working or studying, you’ll usually find me reading, keeping active, or walking with my dog.Â
L6 Software Engineering Degree Apprentice, HSBC
I’m Leo Turnbull, a Software Engineering Degree Apprentice at HSBC in Sheffield. Before starting my apprenticeship, I gained experience developing software and websites for a range of organisations, alongside teaching coding to young people. I’m also the founder of studybreak, a social enterprise bringing apprentices closer to students and other young people through affordable social events. I’m passionate about widening opportunities for apprentices: both during their apprenticeship and beyond.
L4 Project Manager, Royal Mail
My career journey began with a BSc in Yacht Manufacturing at university, but I quickly realised that the degree alone didn’t equip me for the kind of role I aspired to. Seeking a more hands-on and structured path, I joined Royal Mail and completed both Level 2 and Level 3 Apprenticeships, gaining practical experience and a strong foundation of transferable skills.Â
These experiences sparked a passion for Project Management, which I pursued further by completing a Level 4 Apprenticeship in partnership with the Association for Project Management (APM). This qualification was instrumental in helping me progress into a Senior role in Commercial Product Deployment, and later transition into Product Design.Â
Towards the end of my apprenticeship, I discovered the Association of Apprentices. While I was fortunate to be part of a supportive cohort, connecting with apprentices who had already completed their programmes and End Point Assessments (EPA) provided invaluable insights. Their experiences helped me prepare effectively and confidently for the final stages of my own journey.Â
L6 Chartered Business Management Apprentice, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
Hi, I’m Grace, a level 6 Chartered Business Management Degree Apprentice studying at Manchester Metropolitan University. I’m in my third year now working in field sales at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, which I am absolutely loving!Â
I started my apprenticeship straight after completing my A-levels at college and it has flown by so far! My apprenticeship has given me the opportunity to gain valuable experiences, develop new skills and meet so many amazing people! I’m looking forward to sharing my own experiences, learning from others and contributing to the network. I’m a big believer that an apprenticeship is so much more than just getting a qualification… it’s about building your confidence, your skills, and your career.Â
Outside of work, I love travelling, shopping and of course, who doesn’t love a night out!Â
So, a big hello from me 👋Â
Jan is the CEO of Occupational Awards Limited, a Director of the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink and an FE College Governor. She has over 35 years’ experience in the education sector in strategic and operational management of training programmes with colleges, private training providers, local authorities the voluntary sector and not for profit organisations. Jan has previously been a board member of the Learning and Skills Council, chair of the North Yorkshire Training Provider network and Vice-Chair of Yorkshire Coast College and a Governor of the Grimsby Institute for Further and Higher Education. She has extensive experience of education policy, apprenticeships, qualification, and curriculum development as well as business improvement.
Jan joined OAL in 2019, a leading non-profit industry-focused Awarding and End-Point Assessment Organisation, supporting a wide range of employers and of key stakeholders to succeed and surpass expectations. Jan is committed to continuous improvement and enthusiastic about improving the effectiveness, impact and quality of apprenticeships, education, and training in the UK and internationally. She has a wide range of experience of working in a collaborative context with employers and training providers to develop End Point Assessment, apprenticeships, and a wide range of vocational programmes.
