Director of FE & Skills Heather Marks shares her apprenticeship journey.
“As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2025, I find myself reflecting on my own journey – one that began as an apprentice florist at the age of 16 and has since taken me through business ownership, training other apprentices, and ultimately leading to my role today. Leaving school at 16, I wasn’t entirely sure of my path, but I knew I wanted to work with flowers. 
I started my apprenticeship in floristry, immersing myself in both practical skills at work and theoretical learning at college. One of the most rewarding aspects was learning the Latin names of flowers and plants, which helped deepen my understanding and appreciation of the craft. During my apprenticeship, I was proud to achieve the highest marks in the country for my practical floral design pieces as part of the Intermediate Certificate for the Society of Floristry. This recognition gave me a huge confidence boost and reaffirmed that I had chosen the right career. Completing my apprenticeship wasn’t the end of the journey, it was just the beginning. At 21 years old, I took the leap and opened my first flower shop, supported by the Prince’s Youth Business Trust. This experience taught me about resilience, leadership, and the importance of passing on knowledge. As my business grew, I started training apprentices of my own, helping the next generation develop their skills, just as I had been supported during my own training.
“My apprenticeship gave me real-world experience, a professional qualification, and the confidence to succeed. It showed me that learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom-it happens on the job, through mentorship, and by doing. This National Apprenticeship Week, I encourage employers, educators, and young people to recognise the power of apprenticeships. Whether you’re just starting out or thinking about training an apprentice, I can say from experience: apprenticeships change lives! Let’s celebrate the power of apprenticeships, because they don’t just train workers, they build futures. 🙌🏻
For more information about apprenticeships visit this page or email here
You can find out more about apprenticeships and the courses we offer at BLC by visiting our open evening on Thursday 13th February from 5pm – 7pm
#NAW2025 #Apprenticeships #SkillsForLife #FromApprenticeToLeader
