As the cultural apprenticeships programme in Milton Keynes comes to an end, made possible thanks to funding from Milton Keynes Council, we spoke to Joshua, Remi and Evie about what drew them to apprenticeships, and any words of advice for anyone considering taking an apprenticeship on.
Joshua, previously based at MK Gallery, Digital Marketing
What made you choose an apprenticeship?
My previous qualifications include Physiotherapy and Sport Massage Therapy. I tried to go down this route for a bit, I then realised this is not what I wanted to do.
I then did Teaching Assistant work, working in special needs schools. It was enjoyable, and good for the time, but hard work! It helped me figure out what I wanted.
I studied music at BIMM, the British Institute for Modern Music. I had experience of producing music, as I studied BA Music Production, I graduated in 2023.
I really wanted to stay in London, I was getting jobs here and there but it wasn’t consistent, and London is very expensive! I moved back to MK temporarily, and got a job as a youth worker fusing my music projects and work in school. I did it for a year, then found the apprenticeship, knew I wanted to work in the creative industries
I had marketing experience in local organisations –and I helped family friends at MK Melting Pot, creating livestreams of cooking. Marketing was something I have tried to get into, and I’d applied to apprenticeship before but didn’t get it. Then I saw this apprenticeship advertised, it was perfect for me, and helped get my foot in the door.
What advice would you give to anyone considering an apprenticeship?
Try and do stuff for free, get experience, experiment. Log in to Meta to see what it looks like. Get to know the platforms – then look for an actual qualification in an area you’re interested in.
Identify what you want, and go for it.
There is pressure coming out of school, there’s an impression to have it all figured out, but this isn’t necessarily the case. The earlier you follow what you want to do, the better.
What has apprenticeship meant to you?
It’s been very educational, a great opportunity for me to be involved in the creative industries at an entry level.
Remi, based at Milton Keynes Theatre, Cultural Learning and Participation
What made you choose an apprenticeship?
I did a lot of extracurriculars, a lot of community stuff. and I did a lot of further education stuff., I loved learning in a classroom, but I found the examination process overwhelming. It wasn’t a good way to measure what I thought I was capable of. So I made the executive decision that I was just going to take a step back from that. And I was going to figure something else out.
Apprenticeships were always on my mind, but I always thought it was more STEM, and I saw bigger apprenticeships from ITV and BBC, but I’m really happy that I ended up in Milton Keynes, I think this apprenticeship was more aligned to me. The ITV role was more about inclusion and diversity from a HR perspective. And I’ve always wanted to be a teacher, I really thrived with hands-on work.
So I thought when I found an apprenticeship that actually aligned with what I wanted, I was like, this is perfect, and it wasn’t a financial barrier, which was a huge thing, in terms of deciding whether or not to go to university. Because I just couldn’t see a path I would continue on after university that was clear enough for me to take that financial leap.
What advice would you give to anyone thinking about an apprenticeship?
My advice would be apply. Just go for it. Just go for it.
For those thinking, should I do it? Should I not? Obviously, weigh up your pros and cons. Yeah. But take that leap, because if they don’t think you can do it, then you won’t get it.
But it’s up to them to make that decision. You shouldn’t stop yourself before you can even decide.
What has the apprenticeship meant to you?
Oh, it’s meant a lot. Like, really a lot. It’s meant that I have had flexibility to explore other parts of my life to explore poetry as like, even a viable option.
It’s meant I’ve had the flexibility and time to like, travel and get my citizenship and just do other things whilst also enjoying what I actually do. It’s meant that I’ve experienced a lot more in terms of being at the theatre and all of the things that they’re doing behind the scenes.
Evie, based at Bletchley Park, Events
What made you choose an apprenticeship?
I have always been, I wouldn’t say academic, but I’ve always been quite inclined to learn new things. When you leave sixth form, obviously you’re turning 18, you’re expected to all of a sudden be an adult and you want adult money.
Going to university would have meant taking on a huge amount of debt, which is such a big decision at such a young age.
I just wanted to be financially independent and carry on learning and also get some real life experience.
Obviously a degree is important. But real work experience is valuable. Obviously in the back of your mind, you might think my peers around me are going to have a degree in a year, but I have all this experience. I’ve had time to save.
And also, I think it’s important for the record that you can go to uni anytime. Because it’s a huge narrative where it’s like 18, finish sixth form, apply for uni. I think if this is for the next step of students, then it’s important to know, you can go to uni anytime, in a few years time, you’re at the next step of maturity.
What advice would you give to anyone thinking about an apprenticeship?
Expect work! It’s not the easy route, I think in some ways it can be harder than the first year of uni. Be prepared!
I think not seeing it as the easy alternative to university is a really important point to make.
What has apprenticeship meant to you?
It’s meant a lot. My confidence in my own ability was nothing, but now I’ve just grown a lot in the job that I’m in. So it’s a lot and it’s a big win for me.
