We caught up with Lillie Blackburn, winner of the Citizenship category at the Kaplan Apprenticeship Awards 2024, to hear her experience.
Lillie Blackburn is one example of a degree apprentice who has taken the opportunity to upskill while already employed at HSBC UK. In doing so, she’s significantly developed personally and professionally while making an outstanding impact on the business and surrounding communities.
As a transgender woman in the finance industry, Lillie has taken every opportunity to tirelessly advocate and raise money, and awareness, and make a real change for the LGBTQIA+ community in and out of her workplace.
Apprenticeships from employers’ perspectives
Contrary to a common misconception, employers can offer apprenticeships to their existing workforce.
For example, a 2024 report found that only 15% of employers say that they use apprenticeships to develop existing staff. 60% of employers also believe that the purpose of an apprenticeship is to support young people entering the workforce.
Contrary to a common misconception - employers can offer apprenticeships to their existing workforce.
Unfortunately, the other 85% of the respondents who aren’t using apprenticeships to upskill their existing workforce are likely to be missing out on benefits such as staff retention, satisfaction and, most importantly, developing incredible talent that will continue to make positive contributions to the business.
The realities of investing in your team
Thriving at HSBC UK, Lillie is a WPB (wealth and personal banking) degree apprentice while also serving as the trans and non-binary lead for the HSBC Pride ERG (employee resource group). Since beginning her apprenticeship, Lillie has gone on to win the Citizenship category at the 2024 Kaplan Apprenticeship Awards.
Her employer and colleagues recognised how, despite facing personal challenges, Lillie has used her grit to develop her skills and demonstrate a “growth mindset, learning agility, and curiosity.”
Just a few examples of how Lillie has committed to several communities include:
LGBTQIA+ charity advocate - Lillie has led a group of apprentices and graduate peers to help support the hosting of the Out Together LGBT annual charity ball. Her involvement helped to raise over £9K to support older people in the community who identify as LGBTQIA+.
Apprenticeship advocate and volunteering - Lillie supported the IntoUniversity ‘Careers in Focus’ event which was held at the First Direct offices to represent HSBC degree apprenticeships. Their mission is to provide support that can break cycles of disadvantage and open up opportunities for all young people, no matter their background or academic performance.
By sharing her experiences and talking through the values that this option can provide, she was able to give back to the community in which she grew up while inspiring young people and showing them what they can achieve.
Trans and non-binary lead for the HSBC Pride ERG (employee resource group) - Lillie was invited to represent HSBC UK at a high-profile dinner for the Out Leadership Europe summit due to her dedication to her role.
Out Leadership is an organisation that represents businesses that are collectively working towards improving inclusion in large organisations. The dinner was attended by C-suite executives from various organisations, as well as HSBC ExCo from across Europe, to further the conversations regarding challenges that LGBTQIA+ communities still face in businesses.
“No doubt, she will continue to make society better.”
A conversation with HSBC’s Lillie Blackburn
We caught up with Lillie to gain an insight into her experience so far and understand how an apprenticeship has helped her in her career.
Could you tell us about your career so far?
I’ve worked for HSBC UK since 2015 - mainly within the branch network taking care of customers’ financial service needs. I knew that I wanted to gain new skills, as well as strengthen the ones I already had. I also wanted to further my understanding of HSBC’s strategy and how the ‘behind the scenes’ operated in the business, so I needed to gain further experience to work in those types of roles.
Lillie Blackburn with Kaplan CEO, Kathy Walton, celebrating her 2024 Kaplan Apprenticeship Award for the ‘Citizenship’ category.
The BSc (Hons) Finance Services Management apprenticeship opportunity came up. This was the second time that HSBC had offered this degree apprenticeship programme. It required the apprentice to rotate roles every year while gaining a degree at the same time, which really appealed to me as I never thought I’d have a degree.
Since being on the programme, I’ve had three different roles, including one with HSBC’s sister company, First Direct.
“You’re going to feel more inclined to stay with an employer if they’ve supported you for years during your apprenticeship.”
Studying while on an apprenticeship
Did you encounter any challenges during your studies?
I initially struggled with my first assignment as I had been out of education for a good while. I left school at 16 and went straight into a job, so writing and researching for assignments felt daunting. Thankfully, after putting in time with my tutor, the library team, and my peers, I was able to improve my skills.
Ever since that first assignment, my writing and research skills have been progressively improved, which has been reflected in my results.
How have you been supported throughout your apprenticeship?
Each step of the way, my Talent Coach, Stephen, has been there to support me with my studies and pushed me to think more deeply about the skills that I possess and how to own them.
My employer has been brilliant as well. Any concern that I’ve had, there’s been someone there to assist me in progressing further.
What are your top three study tips?
- Research, research, research - you can never do enough.
- If you’re like me and struggle sometimes, find and use tools such as Grammarly that can help with your academic writing.
- Reach out to your tutors if needed - they’re there to help.
Development of knowledge, skills, and behaviours
How did it feel when you found out you won the Citizenship Award at the 2024 Kaplan Apprenticeship Awards?
I was amazed, I just couldn’t believe it. When I was nominated, I thought it was great, and I really appreciated it - but to win was a shock. I’m sure lots of other incredible nominations were submitted.
How have your skills developed throughout your apprenticeship?
The apprenticeship has allowed me to hone in on my skills and abilities. In particular, my time management and organisational skills have significantly improved when it comes to managing my workload, deadlines, and stakeholder expectations.
Looking back to where you started to where you are now, has the apprenticeship opened any doors or opportunities for you that would be difficult to access otherwise?
The apprenticeship has opened doors to other roles outside of the initial ones that were available to me at the beginning of my career.
As I’ve gained experience from three different placements within HSBC and First Direct, they were all vastly different roles and with different skill sets required. I’ve gained invaluable insight and experience into the business and how the world of banking and finance operates.
How does an apprenticeship benefit the employer?
They gain new, diverse perspectives and ideas, and are exposed to different ways of working. It also promotes loyalty within the organisation. You’re going to feel more inclined to stay with an employer if they’ve supported you for years during your apprenticeship.
Where do you see your apprenticeship training taking you in the future?
I see it taking me into my dream role! During the programme, I’ve been able to find an area of the business that I wish to pursue further and develop more.
Lillie and colleagues from HSBC celebrating their successes at the Kaplan Apprenticeship Awards 2024.
Working in finance as a transgender woman
How has your journey of working in finance as a transgender woman and member of the LGBTQIA+ community influenced your perspective of the industry?
Early on in my career at HSBC back in 2015, it was a bit of a different world. I was a ‘first’ for many of my colleagues, and the understanding of me being a transwoman was little to none.
Thankfully, HSBC has a Pride Employee Resource Group (ERG), and I’ve been the Trans and Non-binary Lead for a number of years. Through the ERG’s activities, and my work as part of the group, we managed to succeed in our aim for HSBC to cover transgender and non-binary health care as part of the employee BUPA package.
It’s been a journey for sure, and one I wouldn’t change, as now HSBC is ranked third on Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index.
HSBC UK was ranked third on Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index. This is a voluntary tool which allows workplaces to measure their progress in building an inclusive environment for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees in the UK.
As someone who strongly advocates for the LGBTQIA+ community, have you experienced or witnessed any challenges in a professional environment?
I’ve faced my fair share of challenges in the workplace from being misgendered to ridiculed by customers. The world right now is a difficult place to be for someone in the LGBTQIA+ community, specifically transgender and non-binary colleagues.
Be there for people if they need your support and listen. You don’t necessarily need to do anything.
What steps can employers, decision-makers, and colleagues take to actively ensure that the workplace is welcoming to all?
Make positive changes that support not only your colleagues but customers too. Make things easier, like processes and procedures. For example, create or shine more light on employee resource groups. The people you hire are the biggest advocates for themselves, so allow them to shape the way things are done.
Shake up the status quo. Accept people for who they are, no questions asked. By doing so, people feel able to bring their full selves to the workplace.
What role do you believe diversity and inclusion play in fostering innovation in the finance industry?
Diversity and inclusion foster new opportunities and innovation through a variety of perspectives from people with different backgrounds. Allowing space for people, who don’t fit into a stereotypical box that society has created, allows for new ways of thinking, boundaries to be pushed and new innovations.
The Kaplan Apprenticeship Awards 2024
Stereotypes and misconceptions
There are a lot of stereotypes or misconceptions regarding apprenticeships and the finance industry. What are your thoughts on the following statements:
“Apprenticeships are for people who struggle academically.”
This isn’t true. Apprenticeships are there for those who want to gain real-life work experience. Following a traditional path, such as university, is great for some people. But if you’re looking to avoid debt while gaining new skills and work experience, then an apprenticeship should be considered.
"The finance industry is male-dominated, and it can be difficult for a woman to thrive in this space."
The industry can be male-heavy, especially in the more senior roles at various banks. However, if you look closely at an organisation, you’ll likely see a plethora of women who are thriving!
"Apprenticeships pigeonhole you into staying in one job role or industry your whole career.”
Again, this isn’t true. I’ve been in three distinct roles, and they’ve all provided me with a wide range of skills that can be used throughout many careers. That’s the beauty of doing an apprenticeship, especially for such a large organisation.
A final reflection
How would you summarise your apprenticeship so far in a sentence or two?
A career-altering apprenticeship - it’s been a game-changer for my career.
Are there any final messages or statements that you’d like to share?
Don’t be afraid to take a leap of faith with an apprenticeship. Yes, they’re a newer way to learn. However, they’re just as good as traditional routes.