An inspiring apprentice is sharing her story to encourage others to develop their skills whilst working.
Leah Monkhouse, lives in Gateshead and is a Regional Customer Service Support Administrator for Northern Powergrid.
The 29-year-old has been in the role for five and a half years but around a year ago, she decided to push herself by enrolling on a Business Administration apprenticeship and achieving a distinction.
Although she was nervous at the beginning of the course, Leah has gone from strength to strength finding new confidence and skills she didn’t think she had.
This week (10 – 16 February 2025) is National Apprenticeship Week, a chance to bring together everyone passionate about apprenticeships and skills to celebrate the value, benefit, and opportunity that they bring.
Apprenticeships at Northern Powergrid are focused on creating ‘Skills for Life’, transferable and practical skills that benefit that both employers and employees no matter the role.
Ranging from Power Engineering apprenticeships, to Customer Service, to Business Administration, and even Management and Leadership degree apprenticeships, Northern Powergrid is committed to developing their workforce.
When asked about her apprenticeship, Leah said “I chose an apprenticeship because it offered something different from the traditional academic route.
“I was looking for a new challenge that would allow me to learn on the job, gaining hands on experience while developing a deeper understanding of how businesses operate.
“This practical approach provided me with the opportunity to apply what I was learning in real-world scenarios which I feel has better equipped me for my future career here at Northern Powergrid.
“Apprenticeships provide a learning structure that suited my style and my needs and having not pursued academic studies in some time, I found traditional learning methods challenging.
“My apprenticeship has showed me how to effectively prioritise my workday and balance multiple responsibilities ensuring I am working efficiently.
“I also feel that my communication skills have improved – I can now confidently interact with colleagues, customers and key stakeholders ultimately making me an effective communicator.”
Chris Mitchell, Customer Service Manager for Northern Powergrid, said “It’s great to hear about how much doing an apprenticeship has given Leah confidence in her role.
“Gaining a distinction is a testament to the hard work and long hours that Leah has put into the apprenticeship, and I couldn’t be prouder.
“Putting yourself out there and trying something new can be scary, but without trying you never know what you can achieve.
“She is gaining real world experience alongside her learner journey and can apply the things she’s learning in the classroom to her role.
“This practical learning is beneficial for the whole team, it means Leah is bringing a different way of thinking to problem solving, learning the best way involve technology in her role to make her more efficient – these things we can apply across her role in the business.”
Feeling powered-up and inspired? Northern Powergrid is recruiting now for Power Engineer apprenticeship programme.
Applications are open until 2 March 2025, with an expected start date of 15 September 2025.
All other open vacancies can be found and applied for via northernpowergrid.com/careers
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