I began my career as a Level 3 HR Support Apprentice at HM Land Registry. I then joined the East Midlands Ambassador Network and became Vice-Chair of the network in 2023.

 

Since then, I’ve progressed from HR Support Desk Adviser to Senior Recruitment Adviser and I’m currently completing my Level 5 People Professional Apprenticeship.

Outside of work, I continue championing apprenticeships and early careers by documenting my personal journey on Instagram and TikTok @_myhrcareer.

I started out as a L3 HR apprentice back in 2019, joined EMAAN in 2020 and became the Apprentice chair in 2021. I gained a couple of promotions at my workplace, including ownership of The Council's apprenticeship programme.

 

From there, I stepped down as apprentice chair and continued to be involved in the network as an employer ambassador. In 2023 I became the Employer Chair.

I am a big advocate for apprenticeships and the impact they can have in a business. As of 2025 I have started my second apprenticeship in HR, this time at level 5 and won the Worshipful Company of HR Professionals Apprentice of the Year Award 2026.

University of Derby are a Higher Education Institution that also encompasses an FE college.

 

Based in Derby and throughout Derbyshire we offer programmes from pre Level one all the way through to Level 8. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region, using our industry expertise to ask the right questions, find answers, and influence public policy, innovation and growth.

University of Derby offers a wide range of education opportunities not just for those in Derbyshire but nationally and internationally. Ranging from Apprenticeships and FE level study programmes and T-Levels to under and post graduate routes our offering covers a vast array of sectors from policing to catering, Engineering to Beauty, Nuclear to Nursing, and lots more

Specsavers is a global optical and audiology business, operating across 11 countries with more than 2,500 locally owned businesses worldwide.

 

Founded in the UK, Specsavers operates through a distinctive Joint Venture Partnership model, enabling partners to own and run their own businesses while being supported by strong central infrastructure, shared expertise, and a commitment to clinical excellence, customer care, and people development.

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At Specsavers, our purpose is to change lives through better sight and hearing. We deliver accessible, high‑quality optical and audiology services through a network of locally owned businesses, supported by trusted clinical experts who care about the communities they serve.

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The types of apprenticeships we offer

Specsavers are an Employer Provider designing and delivering high‑quality apprenticeship programmes that are closely aligned to business need and learner progression.

 

The Apprenticeships we offer are:

• Optical Assistant – Level 3

• Spectacle Technician – Level 3

• Customer Service Practitioner – Level 2

 

Alongside these programmes, we offer clear and structured progression pathways into clinical optical and audiology careers, as well as opportunities to move into leadership, management, and specialist roles. We also partner with high‑quality external training providers to deliver apprenticeships and development programmes across our support office functions, ensuring apprenticeship opportunities are accessible throughout the organisation,  not just in customer‑facing roles

As Head of Apprenticeships, I lead the strategic direction of apprenticeships at Specsavers Joint Venture Partnership, working with a fantastic team of experts who design and deliver high‑quality programmes that support career growth and business performance. My role is all about making sure the wider business understands the real value apprenticeships bring, from developing future talent to driving long‑term success.

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Over the past three years, we’ve proudly ranked in the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers, which speaks volumes about the impact and quality of our work. We were also winners of the Large Employer category at the National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards, a huge milestone that reflects the strength, reach, and influence of our apprenticeship strategy. Adding to this success, our own apprentice won Advanced Apprentice of the Year,

showcasing the incredible talent we have joining the business through apprenticeships.

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I also had the privilege of leading the team through an Outstanding Ofsted inspection as nominee,  one of my proudest career moments.

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I’m a big believer in collaboration and connection, and I take every opportunity to network with employers, training providers, and like‑minded professionals who share a passion for people development. I keep strategy and quality at the heart of everything we do, making sure our approach stays relevant, forward‑thinking, and genuinely transformational.

My name is Nicola Scott, and I am currently completing my Learning and Skills Assessor (Level 3), and in the past my Coaching Professional (Level 5) apprenticeships.

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My background includes working as a apprentice tutor/coach, which gives me a unique perspective on the apprenticeship journey from both the learner and educator viewpoint.

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Being an ambassador is important to me because I understand apprenticeships from two perspectives, both as a tutor supporting learners and as someone who appreciates the learner journey itself. This dual insight allows me to relate to apprentices, employers, and training providers in a meaningful way. I believe apprenticeships create opportunities, build confidence, and develop real-world skills, and I am passionate about helping others recognise the positive impact they can have on careers and future success.

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I enjoy encouraging others to consider apprenticeships as a valuable pathway for both personal and professional development, and I look forward to supporting EMAAN in the future.