Our Apprentices

My journey to an apprenticeship has been anything but conventional. I grew up in the Tower Hamlets borough, attending local primary and secondary schools. Throughout my childhood, I often pondered what I wanted to do in life, spending a lot of time reflecting on my future. During sixth form, I quickly realised I wasn’t keen on boxing myself into a specific category, like biomedicine or humanities, as I enjoyed learning across a variety of subjects. Instead, I chose to see where my curiosity would take me, and that’s when I stumbled upon Global/Public Health—a diverse, multidisciplinary field that combined elements of everything I was passionate about.

The course was incredibly engaging, offering the chance to explore topics like health economics, maternal health, and pharmaceuticals, among others. Ironically, I studied public health during the pandemic, which provided a unique opportunity to explore theory, policy, and interventions in real time. However, the pandemic also led to missed opportunities that would have been valuable for my career development, leaving me unsure of my next steps after graduation. I explored different roles, including a communications & marketing position and an internship with a national charity funder. While they helped me fill some gaps in my skill set, I still felt uncertain about how to pursue my passion for public health.

That’s when I was introduced to WorkPath, an employment and skills service at my local community center. Initially hesitant, I decided to give it a shot. My work coach and I had an in-depth discussion about my education, work history, and career aspirations. She recommended I join the WorkPath support program, which would help strengthen my skills and fill any gaps, ultimately leading to a placement aligned with my interests. Thanks to WorkPath, I secured a placement with the local Council as a trainee Treatment Referral Worker in the Drug Intervention Team (DIP). The team was amazing, providing vital services to vulnerable individuals in partnership with healthcare, courts, prisons, and the police. As I shadowed the team, I gained a deeper understanding of the complex challenges surrounding addiction, substance abuse, and homelessness. The team’s support and willingness to share their knowledge made a huge impact on my learning.

While on placement, my work coach and I also found a business admin apprenticeship with the Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) team in the Public Health department at the Council. I was able to blend the skills and experience from my DIP placement, the training from the WorkPath support pathway, and my passion for public health to secure the role. In just a few months, I’ve become part of a dynamic research collaboration working with local partners, including the Council, voluntary sectors, universities, and residents, to better understand the needs of Tower Hamlets residents. I’ve already worked across various program areas, developed performance trackers for the Evaluation workstream, supported the Influence & Impact workstream’s monthly newsletter, and helped plan HDRC events, among other tasks.

I’ve met so many fascinating people, learned more about the Council’s responsibilities, and even attended Council sessions in the chamber room! My journey has just begun, and I’m excited about what’s ahead. My advice to anyone unsure of what to do or how to get started is to give it time and take full advantage of the support networks around you—life can take you in unexpected and rewarding directions!