Investing in apprenticeships is about more than developing individual employees. For businesses, it’s an opportunity to build future-ready teams, strengthen digital capability, and create measurable operational improvements.

At Kaplan, we believe in the value of apprenticeships because we see the impact first-hand. That’s exactly what happened when Tina Waldock, an Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) in Kaplan’s Quality team, began a Data Technician apprenticeship to expand her skills and support wider business goals.

Together with her line manager, Quality Lead Linda Greengrass, Tina’s story demonstrates how apprenticeships can help organisations improve efficiency, develop internal talent, and embed innovation into everyday processes.

Building skills that benefit the whole business

Before starting her apprenticeship, Tina had already built an impressive career in education and quality assurance after transitioning from retail management into learning and development.

But despite completing several professional qualifications, she recognised a gap in her knowledge around data and analytics.

“I like to understand things, and I knew I had a gap in my knowledge around data, so it made perfect sense to me,” Tina explains.

For Linda, supporting Tina through the apprenticeship was also a strategic business decision.

“The team’s end of month reporting is getting bigger and more time consuming,” says Linda. “The work that they do on the Data Technician apprenticeship could really develop members of my team to work on these reports and streamline the process.”

This is one of the biggest advantages of apprenticeships for employers. Learning is immediately applied within the workplace, meaning new skills can quickly translate into operational improvements.

Turning learning into measurable impact

As Tina progressed through the programme, the benefits quickly became visible across the Quality team.

Linda explains that Tina has already taken ownership of one of the team’s major month-end reports - a time-sensitive and labour-intensive process that was previously managed elsewhere in the team.

“Tina has taken over one of the main month end reports from me, freeing up my time to take on other work,” Linda says. “She has spent time working on this report and looking for ways to improve the reporting process.”

The apprenticeship has also helped Tina develop a more analytical mindset that she now applies daily within her role.

“I look at information differently,” Tina says. “I can now see a pattern where I couldn’t before. I read a spreadsheet, and I think, how can I analyse this? How can I improve this?”

She has already started collating data that could support both delivery and quality teams, helping identify opportunities for improvement across the wider organisation.

Supporting innovation and AI adoption

For many employers, apprenticeships are becoming an important way to future-proof teams against changing technologies and evolving skill demands.

In Tina’s case, the programme has supported exploration into how AI could improve reporting processes and reduce manual workloads.

Linda says this has become increasingly valuable for the team.

“The skills around how to implement AI into our reporting has been amazing,” she explains. “It is one of the team’s overall goals to implement AI, and AI is only going to become a bigger thing in any industry.”

By embedding learning directly into day-to-day responsibilities, apprenticeships can help businesses adapt faster while giving employees the confidence to experiment with new technologies and ideas.

Creating a culture of continuous development

Alongside the operational benefits, both Tina and Linda highlight the importance of creating an environment where learning and development are actively supported.

Throughout the apprenticeship, Linda has worked closely with Tina by attending review meetings, discussing off-the-job learning opportunities, and supporting portfolio development ahead of end-point assessment.

For Tina, having that support has made a significant difference.

“Kaplan has been amazing,” she says. “The tutors are so patient; it’s so motivating to be listened to and not made to feel behind in any way.”

That supportive culture has helped Tina continue building confidence while balancing work responsibilities and study commitments.

It has also reinforced Kaplan’s wider belief that apprenticeships are one of the most effective ways to nurture internal talent and create long-term business value.

Why employers should consider apprenticeships

When asked what she would say to employers considering a data and technology apprenticeship, Linda’s answer is simple:

“Go for it.”

“Having staff gaining those extra skills whilst working and being able to put them into practice is great for any employer.”

Tina’s journey shows how apprenticeships can deliver benefits far beyond individual learning outcomes. From improving reporting processes and increasing efficiency to supporting innovation and building future-ready teams, apprenticeships can become a powerful driver of business growth.

And perhaps most importantly, they give employees the opportunity to keep learning, developing, and contributing in new ways - something Tina is already eager to continue.

“If more apprenticeships are an option,” she says, “I might be interested.”

Ready to develop future skills?

Whether you’re looking to upskill your workforce or start your own learning journey, Kaplan offers apprenticeships designed to create real workplace impact.

For employers: Explore apprenticeship solutions

For learners: View data and technology apprenticeships