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National Apprenticeship Week 2026 – T Level Thursday
Meet Yasmin.
Bids and Proposals Administrator
“Through the industry placement, I gained hands-on experience working in a professional environment, which made me more confident and better prepared for employment.”
This week is National Apprenticeship Week, a week-long celebration shines a light on the positive impact that earn-and-learn schemes make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy. To celebrate T Level Thursday, we asked Bids and Proposals Administrator Yasmin O’Hare what was her experience like and what advice she’d give to people considering a T Level.
How did you hear about T-Levels and what attracted you?
I heard about T-Levels from the career advisor at Inspira, which is a non-profit organisation focused on getting young people 13-19 into employment and education. The person that helped me suggested a T-Level as it meant I was still gaining an A-Level equivalent qualification which wouldn’t hinder me from choosing a career path.
I no longer wanted to continue with Sixth Form and was looking for something that would help me into the real working world. What attracted me to them was the chance to work with employers and gain experience, I had heard so many times that relevant experience really mattered.
What did a typical day in the your course look like?
We would begin every day at 9am at lakes College. We had 4 lessons a day at the beginning of the course, all with either a 30-minute or 15-minute break in between. The lessons were an hour and a half long and there were a mixed range of things we would do, listen to guest speakers from different careers and background such a Project Managers, EDI Leads, Project Engineers, etc.
What were some of the highlights of the course?
Most likely the people. It was a very small class so we all became quite close, and it made for an amazing working environment where anyone could ask anyone for help. Then definitely my work placement, I was fortunate enough to complete over 400+ hours of work experience acting as a Supply Chain Administrator. My mentor was incredible at making sure I got every experience I could.
How did you find your industry placement?
My industry placement was one of the highlights of the course. The real-world experience was easily transferable to my part time job and when we were in the class room. It helped to develop new skills, and I was forced to step out of my comfort zone while being surrounded by people who knew a lot more about what I was doing than I did. I had to ask for help and soak up every piece of information I was given, but I would never be in the position I am today without it.
How did it help you develop new skills?
It allowed me to be in a real workplace and practice my new skills with different people. My mentor would also ensure I was included in conversations even if I had no clue what they were about. She preached about T-Levels to everyone so I would have the chance to talk about something I knew inside out.
My course gave me so many transferrable skills that I use every day, both people and work-based skills. These skills are just as important as each other.
What’s the most exciting thing you’ve worked on at Shepley Group?
The tasks that I find exciting are the ones that most people could not think of anything worse than doing! I like repetitive and organised tasks which need to be carried out repeatedly. Excel and I have become very good friends. I like the consistency of spreadsheets; they can be quite methodical and are always neat and easy to read which I find to be a very important quality.
What are your career aspirations?
I truthfully do not know what it is I want to do. I enjoy the admin side of business, like organisation and the odd job to help the team. But I do not know for definite what it is I want to do as a career. I just want to be able to support myself for the time being, be able to do what I like without having to worry too much, I believe I still have time, and that the position I’m in now is absolutely great.
How do you think your T-Level will help you in your career?
I thought this T Level in Business Administration would help me in my future career by giving me practical, real-world experience as well as a strong understanding of how businesses operate. The qualification helped me develop key skills such as communication, organisation, problem-solving, and time management, which were essential in most workplaces. Through the industry placement, I gained hands-on experience working in a professional environment, which made me more confident and better prepared for employment. It also gave me a recognised qualification that could lead directly into a business-related job, an apprenticeship, or further study, helping me progress in my career.
What would you say to people considering a T-Level?
That it’s a lot of work to be able to reap the benefits, but its worth it. Whatever it is you’re wanting to do it would help. It sets you up for the workplace if that’s where you see yourself after the course, or it gives you the educational foundations for university. Everyone in my college course came out of the course with a secured place either in university, an apprenticeship level 4 or higher, or a full-time job. The lecturers are there to help and support you, they will customise the lessons to you to ensure that you’re getting what you need out of them. The schedule is flexible especially as well, allowing a day for work experience and further into the course days through the week where you do not have to go into college. I used these days to either do extra time on my work placement, or take an extra shift at my part time job.