This year’s International Women’s Day theme is #AccelerateAction, and Hannah, an employee at the Growth Company, is a perfect example of this in action. She has advanced her career in marketing through apprenticeships, demonstrating how structured support and development can drive success.
Accelerate Action is a global call to recognise strategies, resources, and actions that positively impact women's career progression and to support their implementation in the workplace.
Hannah’s journey began as a college student in 2019, uncertain about her next steps. Despite the strong emphasis on university at her college, she was determined to explore alternative pathways and chose to pursue an apprenticeship.
She completed her first apprenticeship in Business Administration, achieving a Distinction. During this time, she discovered a passion for social media and content creation and was responsible for managing her team’s social media channels.
Keen to develop her skills further, Hannah joined the Growth Company in 2022 as a Level 3 Content Creator Apprentice. In this role, she created engaging content for learners undertaking apprenticeships and courses. She also had the opportunity to complete a short placement with the Marketing team, where she gained valuable experience in marketing and communications.
After completing her apprenticeship with Distinction, Hannah secured a role as a Marketing Executive, working on a new GC Business initiative and later supporting multiple GC Employment contracts.
Reflecting on her journey, Hannah credits apprenticeships for her career progression, saying:
“Without an apprenticeship, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve half of what I have in my marketing career so far - and it’s still early days. An apprenticeship gave me the chance to discover my strengths, collaborate with new people and accelerate my career. I’m so lucky to have access to quality education and training that helps me thrive.”
Hannah is currently completing her third apprenticeship, the Level 4 Marketing Executive, alongside her role. She has also recently secured a promotion as a Marketing and Communications Executive with the Centre for Assessment team. Outside of work, she has achieved a major personal milestone - buying her first home - and is now aiming to become a Marketing Business Partner within the next five years.
When asked if she would recommend apprenticeships, Hannah responded:
“I would recommend apprenticeships to anyone, at any stage of their career. Apprenticeships have helped to promote my creative talents as a female in marketing.
Whether you’re a young person who doesn’t want to go to university and prefers to learn while earning, or an employee looking to upskill in your current role, apprenticeships are for everyone.”
Hannah's story is a testament to the power of apprenticeships in accelerating career growth and empowering women in the workforce. Her journey highlights how apprenticeships unlock potential, foster talent, and drive success.
