From graduate to apprentice: Why I chose an apprenticeship with Co-operatives UK after university

Did you know that over half of all apprentices in England are aged 25 or older, writes Hannah Ward, Content Creator Apprentice at Co-operatives UK? That’s nearly 400,000 people who are closer to 30 than 20. It shouldn’t come as that much of a surprise to me because I’m three-quarters of the way into an apprenticeship myself... but it does.

After graduating from the University of Salford two years ago, I found myself earning enough to get by (sort of), selling over-priced coffee at Starbucks in a part-time job. An apprenticeship wasn’t even a consideration. Yet now, I’m close to completing my content creator apprenticeship with the brilliant Co-operatives UK and loving it. So, for National Apprenticeship Week, I wanted to tell my story (and guess what, my employer is happy for me to do it!).

So I joined the 761,500 apprentices across England (but not quite entering that over-25 statistic quite yet) at the start of 2025. It was a brand-new role for Co-operatives UK – their first Content Creator Apprentice.

Starting an apprenticeship after university was not something I initially expected. Originally, I thought that I could only go down that route before taking a degree. It seemed to me (wrongly) like a step back in education – but it has been one of the most valuable decisions I’ve made. Beforehand, I had preconceived views on apprenticeships... thinking they were typically in trades such as construction and engineering. But the apprenticeship sector has broadened to key areas, including:

• Health and social care
• Business, finance and law
• Creative and design
• Agriculture and environmental

After originally working in hospitality, the standard office nine to five seemed like a daunting route into a professional workplace. Often stereotypically seen as a rigid, inflexible structure, while being stuck in front of a screen all day. Working with Co-operatives UK on the content creator apprenticeship scheme has been far from those preconceived misconceptions. When I found out I could still express my creative side through an apprenticeship – improving my media marketing skills, gaining a qualification and progressing my career in an area that interests me – it seemed like a no-brainer. 

After studying Media and Performance at University, I knew I wanted to build on my creative background – but move into the marketing space. It was while I was scrolling through job application sites for a media marketing position that I found this apprentice, entry-level job. And it has been the perfect gateway job after graduating. The apprenticeship role with Co-operatives UK was through training provider Apprentify. Being an apprentice has allowed me to feel at ease and I've not had the instant pressure that often comes with the conventional employment route.

Taking this route with Co-operatives UK has kept the whole process interesting, with no two days being the same – not even my desk (it’s a hot-seating workplace)! I may have swapped university short films for social content, but the goal is the same: storytelling. And I’m proud to use it to promote the work Co-operatives UK does to support co-ops and better business. Before I started, I had no idea what a co-operative was. Now I’m making myth-busting social posts to teach others who likewise may not have a clue either.

With the expertise from my line managers and the knowledge I’ve learnt from online classes/workshops that Apprentify offers, the past year has allowed me to develop and improve each day, settling into the Marketing and Communications team, plus the free teas and coffee!

One of the biggest strengths of my apprenticeship has been the blended approach to learning. Spending part of the week learning with Apprentify, with the remaining days in the office here at Co-operatives UK. It’s been a hands-on experience to apply my knowledge from the classroom to the co-operative world.

Throughout my role with Co-operatives UK, I’ve had the opportunity to gain experience across a wide range of material, including:

• Creating media over numerous social channels
• Attending corporate events and capturing the moment
• Visiting members and learning about their experience with Co-operatives UK
• Interviewing panellists
• Mentoring from external companies and in-house learning

One of the most challenging aspects of the apprenticeship has been learning about the policy areas within the Co-operatives UK - making appropriate webpages, emails and social posts regarding it. This has been a great opportunity to investigate policy pieces that already exist and work alongside colleagues to create a final piece that emulates the company's voice. Although challenging and out of my comfort zone, it’s great to have my line managers push me to make content for critical situations.

There’s always something happening. It could be an event (small or large), a campaign or a chance to learn more about the co-operative movement (Yes, a year on and I still learn new things about co-ops!), plus the members. These are some of my favourite projects to work on when I’m able to get face-to-face with our members, instigate interviews, capture events and ultimately, showcase what Co-operatives UK does for its members.

Going to youth-orientated events such as ‘Do it Different’ or the ‘National Youth Summit’ is inspiring, and being able to work within a company that invests in the younger generation is a privilege. Now that’s a statistic I can be included in…

Thank you again to the Co-operatives UK and Apprentify for the incredible opportunity to work, learn and grow in such a supportive environment. This experience has been invaluable in expanding my skillset, with your expertise being instrumental in my professional development. I’m excited to see where this apprenticeship and qualification will lead.