What apprenticeship did you take?
I was part of the first cohort to do the Economics Degree Apprenticeship established by the Government Economic Service. It was one of the earliest degree level apprenticeships available, particularly in economics.
Why did you choose an apprenticeship?
When I started exploring options, degree apprenticeships were still rare. I didn’t feel that the traditional university route would suit me, so I wanted to see whether an apprenticeship might be possible in a subject I loved—economics.
At the time, it wasn’t widely known that degree apprenticeships existed for fields like economics. I stumbled across the programme almost by chance and decided to apply. It turned out to be exactly the right path for me.
What would you say were some of the benefits of taking an apprenticeship?
One major benefit was getting early exposure to what a full‑time office job is really like. I learned to use tools and picked up workplace norms that you don’t usually encounter until after university. Studying alongside working meant my degree content—especially practical skills like Excel—could be immediately applied. It connected academic learning with real‑world scenarios in a way that made everything more meaningful.
Networking was another big advantage. I met people across the industry, developed my report‑writing skills, and gained hands‑on experience with publications and professional outputs.
I also appreciated the structure: having a 9–5 routine alongside my studies gave me balance and focus. While I did miss certain elements of typical university social life, I still built strong friendships both at work and on my course. The community I found through the programme was incredibly supportive.
What would be your advice to anyone thinking of taking an apprenticeship?
I'm really grateful I chose the apprenticeship route, and I think perceptions about apprenticeships are shifting in a positive direction. When I started, there were still though people who questioned it.
My advice would be: if it feels right for you, go for it. If you're considering it, think about:
It’s also important for people who feel they don’t fit traditional academic learning to know that apprenticeships can offer a brilliant alternative. You can still gain a degree—it's not an either or situation.
At 24, nearly 25, I now have nearly seven years of work experience as an economist—that’s incredibly valuable and has made a huge difference in the job market and in the opportunities available to me.
The combination of learning and working meant that I never had that daunting gap between academic study and professional application. Everything I learned was immediately contextualised.
How has your apprenticeship supported your role at GC Insight?
Before joining GC Insight, I completed four years of my apprenticeship within Defra, followed by time in other consultancies. That experience has been invaluable.
I brought with me strong public sector knowledge, deep understanding of government processes, familiarity with business cases and guidance, and practical experience working with central and local government.
The foundation from my apprenticeship has helped me contribute meaningfully from day one, and continues to support my work across different projects and sectors.
Published: 10 February 2026
