Blueprint’s first HR apprentice: my journey so far

Life after school can feel both exciting and daunting. Whilst you have the freedom to make your own choices, there also comes the worry of what comes next. For me, I had no idea what the future held, so I explored my options, which ultimately led me to an HR apprenticeship at Blueprint – a decision I couldn’t be happier about!

How I landed at Blueprint

After completing my A-levels I was overwhelmed by the number of options ahead of me, like many people at that stage. I didn’t have a clear plan, so I took the opportunity to work and travel for a year, giving myself time to figure out what I was going to do next. By the end of the year, I was no closer to knowing what I wanted than I was at the beginning. So, I followed what I thought was expected of me and gave university a try. However, I very quickly realised this was not the route for me, so I began some research into apprenticeships. When I discovered that an apprenticeship could lead me into HR, I knew that was exactly what I wanted to do, and I was thrilled when I received the call confirming my job at Blueprint!

My first day impressions

First days can be nerve-wracking, but luckily all my nerves had vanished within the first few minutes. The team was so welcoming, so I knew it wasn’t going to be difficult settling in. I found that the work culture here is truly something special and I’m lucky to be a part of it. Everyone was incredibly inviting, and the vibe was lively - there’s a kind of “madness” here (in the best way) that makes every day interesting and unpredictable. What also stood out to me was how much the company valued career development and personal growth. They genuinely want everyone to succeed. By the end of my first day, I knew I was where I was meant to be.

So, what have I been up to?

The first few months have been packed with learning and gaining hands on experience across various aspects of HR. I’ve also started my course with Cirencester College which is helping to widen my knowledge. I have learnt a range of skills already, from handling general HR administrative tasks to carrying out processes like inductions, security clearances and much more. There is no typical day in the life for this job as I am constantly learning new things. Some days I shadow and gain new experience, others I focus on coursework or independent tasks, but most days are a mix of everything. It keeps things nice and interesting! I’m sure that as I get further into my apprenticeship, I will have more responsibilities and tasks to manage, meaning I will spend more time doing rather than learning. I can’t wait to continue developing, becoming more confident and independent in my role.

The benefits of working with an SME

One of the unexpected perks of my apprenticeship with Blueprint is the opportunity to work within a small company. The team is close-knit and family like, with an incredibly supportive atmosphere. It makes it easy to ask questions, share ideas and get to know everyone. It also means I get opportunities to step outside my primary role of HR and get involved in other areas of the business such as marketing and IT. It’s an exciting way to develop new skills and grow with the business.

The highlights so far

If I had to pick a highlight it would be the positive atmosphere of the team; it makes coming into the office something to look forward to! I have also enjoyed taking charge of the ‘naughty list’. This is my way of making sure people do what I tell them to! It gives me a sense of authority - although I think the power might be getting to my head already! Joining the company just before Christmas meant I got to experience the festive season in the office, which was definitely another highlight! I enjoyed spending a day decorating the office for Christmas and seeing what our naughty elf got up to everyday – it really got me into the Christmas spirit!

What comes next?

Over the next year I will be completing my apprenticeship with Cirencester College and gaining skills and experience that will take me to the next stage of my career. I hope to gain more responsibilities at Blueprint and become a valuable member of the team as I develop further. After my apprenticeship I would like to complete CIPD Level 5. I will also be completing an ILM level 3 consultancy course over the next few months to further develop my skills. I find comfort and excitement knowing that Blueprint will provide support towards developing my career, with many training opportunities and regular reviews of development.

My advice for Blueprint’s next apprentice

There’s no need to worry when joining Blueprint, the team is lovely and welcoming and will check in with you to make sure that you’re not overloaded with too much work. It is a place where growth is key, so there’s lots of opportunity to start and develop your career! Just be yourself and take opportunities to get to know the team and learn from them.

If you’re interested in future opportunities at Blueprint, follow us on LinkedIn!