How Sally is Rewriting Her Career Story
- Posted 04 Mar 2026
When Sally Booysen signed up for a Team Leader Apprenticeship as a mature learner, she wasn't sure what she was walking into. How would she balance her day job with studying, and would it even be worth the effort?
Now she has her answer, and it's one that might surprise you.
Learning alongside life
One of Sally's biggest surprises was how much autonomy she had over her own learning. Delivered entirely online, the apprenticeship is designed to fit around real working life, with 20% of the programme dedicated to off-the-job training time that her employer accommodates within her working hours. That means Sally isn't squeezing study into evenings and weekends or sacrificing her personal time. The learning happens as part of her working week, supported by her workplace from day one.
That blend of structure and flexibility is where the real value lies. Sally particularly loves the group discussions, where adult learners from different workplaces and backgrounds pull apart leadership theories together and debate what great leadership actually looks like in practice. When you bring decades of lived experience into those conversations, that isn't a disadvantage. It's your greatest asset.
Why later can mean better
There's a persistent assumption that apprenticeships are for school leavers, but Sally's story challenges that directly. Returning to learning at a later stage in your career means you already understand what good leadership looks like, and crucially, what it doesn't. You have context, you have perspective, and you have genuine motivation because you can see exactly where this qualification is taking you. Sally has her sights set firmly on a leadership role, and this apprenticeship isn't a detour on the way there. For her, it's the most direct route she could have taken.
A smart investment for employers too
Sally's employer didn't just allow her to do this apprenticeship. They actively supported it, and the business is already seeing the benefit. Research shows that 78% of UK employers report improved productivity as a direct result of apprenticeships and 69% report improved staff retention rates. For smaller organisations, government funding covers 95-100% of training and assessment costs meaning the financial barrier is far lower than most employers realise. Investing in a team member who already knows your culture, your processes, and your customers is one of the most cost-effective development decisions a business can make.
Why later can mean better
There's a persistent assumption that apprenticeships are for school leavers, but Sally's story challenges that directly. Returning to learning at a later stage in your career means you already understand what good leadership looks like, and crucially, what it doesn't. You have context, you have perspective, and you have genuine motivation because you can see exactly where this qualification is taking you. Sally has her sights set firmly on a leadership role, and this apprenticeship isn't a detour on the way there. For her, it's the most direct route she could have taken.
Your next step starts here
USP College is expanding its apprenticeship offer, and in the coming months new intakes are opening for Team Leader, Teaching Assistant and Business Administration apprenticeships, all available to adult learners ready to invest in their future. Whether you're an individual ready to take that next step, or an employer looking to develop the talent already within your team, you can register your interest now at here.
Sally didn't know what to expect when she started. Now she can't imagine not having done it, and she's only just getting started.