A success story
Leah’s success story.
Get Set for building confidence through Apprenticeships with Get Set UK.
Apprenticeships | 02 October 2025
When Leah Bond, Senior Strategy Advisor with Essex County Council began her Level 5 Operations Manager Apprenticeship through the SEATS programme with Get Set UK, she wasn’t sure what to expect. Balancing study with a full-time role seemed daunting, and she questioned whether it would really give her the tools she needed to progress in her career.
Almost a year on, Leah has proved those doubts wrong. By structuring her working day more effectively, she has not only managed the demands of her role but also grown in confidence and developed skills that are shaping her into a future leader.
Although not currently in a line management role, Leah is already aligning her actions with her long-term goals. She describes the programme as pivotal in helping her grow as a young, female leader, giving her the knowledge and confidence she needed to unlock her potential.
One of the unexpected highlights has been connecting with colleagues also completing the same apprenticeship: “With many others on the programme, it’s been a fantastic opportunity to expand my internal network and strengthen relationships with my colleagues.”
Leah is also quick to credit the support of her Learning and Development Manager, Keeley: “Keeley has been supportive, upbeat, and empathetic throughout, a real guiding light at tricky times.”
Her advice to others considering an apprenticeship is simple: “Apprenticeships are for everyone. It doesn’t matter where you are in your career, how old you are, or where you see yourself in five, ten, or twenty-years’ time. Just go for it!”
Leah’s journey is a powerful example of how apprenticeships can equip people at every stage of their career with the skills, confidence, and support to thrive.
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