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Beth Cassidy: Skills for Life in NAW2025
Beth Cassidy is a Nuclear Structures Engineering Apprentice based in Warrington, where she has applied the learning from her education to various projects. She has been with AECOM for two years and is currently completing her fourth year of a civil and structural degree course. Beth’s dedication to continuous learning and professional development makes her an invaluable member of the team.
Beth shares her thoughts below for National Apprentice Week 2025: Skills for Life.
In today’s rapidly evolving job market, several lifelong skills are essential for success. Here’s my take on what is vital for apprentices:
Effective communication –the rise of hybrid working post-pandemic has meant learning to communicate effectively with colleagues both in the office and remotely is vital for career progression. It’s important to understand that different styles work best for different people and projects; a blanket approach is not always applicable.
Creative thinking – As new technologies emerge, it’s critical to know how to leverage these advancements to enhance efficiency and improve final outputs, for both academic work and client deliverables. By fostering creative thinking alongside digital innovation, AECOM is empowering both its employees and clients to adapt and harness these technological advancements for transformative and impactful outcomes. It’s exciting to see apprentices being part of the process.
Time management – Balancing university coursework and exams with professional roles can be challenging. As workloads increase, it’s important to prioritise tasks and manage them across multiple stakeholders and projects. Collaborative communication with your team and manager about your priorities will better allow focus and resource management.
Apprenticeships play a vital role in developing these essential lifelong skills. Balancing university work and project deadlines teaches apprentices the importance of time management and prioritisation, crucial for meeting both academic and professional commitments.
Writing skills – Delivering reports at work and applying new knowledge on the go helps apprentices develop effective literacy skills. They quickly learn to convey their ideas clearly and concisely, which is essential for career progression.
Growing your network – Being surrounded by experienced colleagues provides a valuable support network. This network offers guidance and insights, helping apprentices navigate their coursework and professional responsibilities.
Theory to reality – Finally, apprenticeships allow individuals to see how theoretical knowledge from university is applied in real-world scenarios. Working on projects while studying helps them understand the practical applications of their learning, enhancing their creative thinking and problem-solving abilities. This hands-on experience is invaluable for their overall development.
Employers play a crucial role in fostering a culture of continuous learning and skill development. It’s vital for managers to engage with the university courses their employees are taking and understand what’s on offer, including their limitations. Having managers identify additional learning opportunities, such as classes not covered in the curriculum, will further enhance their teams’ skills.
By providing a variety of projects for apprentices to work on helps them develop a broad skill set. Managers should actively participate in their employees’ work by reviewing their progress, asking questions, and maintaining a presence in the office. This face-to-face interaction is key, as it allows employees to ask questions and gain valuable insights from their managers.
Creating a supportive environment where employees feel comfortable asking questions is essential. This direct engagement and communication help build a strong foundation for continuous learning and professional growth.