“The support here is really important and has been critical to my development”

As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2025, it’s an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the power of apprenticeships and the role they play in shaping the future workforce at Franks Portlock. 

Their skills, dedication and achievements are making an important impact on the various sectors of our environmental consultancy. By investing in apprenticeships, we believe we are cultivating the next generation of talent, ensuring a pipeline of skilled professionals who can tackle the environmental challenges of tomorrow. 

One of those employees, now approaching the end of her apprenticeship programme at Franks Portlock is Rebecca Carter, from Sunderland, who has been training as a bulk analyst for the past year. 

Rebecca’s role consists of preparing and analysing materials for asbestos content, database management, creating reports for clients, as well as assisting the lab supervisor. 

“Attention to detail is key in my role,” explains Rebecca, who joined the company in December 2023, after deciding that the Level 1 Hairdressing qualification she was studying towards at college wasn’t quite the right fit for her.  

“I decided to explore other career options and found this apprenticeship opportunity online and applied through the company’s website. The process was straightforward, and I was excited by the new challenge. 

“The role is going really well. It is hard work but definitely rewarding. I’ve had the chance to work with different people across the company. The teamwork and support here is really important and has been critical to my development.”

Of the key skills Rebecca has developed over the course of her apprenticeship, it’s her analytical ability, especially when analysing data and samples, where she has seen the most improvement. 

She adds: “I’ve also learned to be more organised and efficient in my work, which has really helped me in the lab. 

“A big example is being able to identify the different types of asbestos. This was something I learned during my training and was able to apply directly when analysing certain samples at work. It was great to see how my learning came to life in a real-world setting.” 

This year’s NAW theme is ‘Skills for Life’, and Rebecca’s says her long-term ambitions are to have a “solid career” in the field of environmental analysis, adding: “My apprenticeship has been instrumental in helping me build the skills I need to do this. I’m gaining both practical experience and qualifications, which will set me up for a career in the industry.” 

Would Rebecca recommend an apprenticeship to others considering their options? 

“The benefits of an apprenticeship are huge,” she says. “Not only do you gain hands-on experience, but you also get the chance to earn while you learn.  

“In my case, I’m working toward a P401 qualification and setting myself up for a career that could last a lifetime.” 

“Being organised is essential in my role”

Apprenticeships are an impactful way for learners to gain the latest top-level industry skills and knowledge, and for employers to invest, nurture and train the next generation of workers. 

At Franks Portlock we are providing an essential pathway for individuals to gain hands-on experience, earn a wage, and develop skills that are highly valued.  

One of those individuals is school-leaver Maya Moll, an ambitious and driven apprentice administrator, who joined the water hygiene sector of the company in June 2023.  

As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2025, we spotlight Maya’s journey, who is now 80 per cent through her apprenticeship, gaining valuable experience and making an important contribution towards the growing success of the environmental consultancy. 

Before joining Franks Portlock, Maya, from Burton on Trent was finishing her GCSEs while working part-time. It was through her local college that she discovered the opportunity at Franks Portlock. After an interview with her manager, Sean Green, she was offered the role that would cement the direction of her career. 

Maya says: “In my role of an administrator, I’m responsible for a variety of tasks, from managing schedules and maintaining records to ensuring compliance with industry policies and handling correspondence. Every day offers new challenges, but it’s the diversity of the role that keeps things exciting. 

“I oversee the day-to-day operations of the department, ensuring everything runs smoothly. It’s a dynamic environment, and I love the variety it brings.” 

Over the course of her apprenticeship, Maya has developed a range of skills that have not only enhanced her job performance but also prepared her for the future. From organisational skills to effective communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and customer service, the apprenticeship has been a journey of growth. 

“Being organised is essential in my role,” explains Maya. “It helps everything run efficiently and ensures that nothing falls through the cracks. And the problem-solving skills I’ve developed have been invaluable when dealing with unexpected challenges.” 

Maya has had plenty of opportunities to apply her learning directly to her role. Her experience with the company has shown Maya the importance of staying adaptable and using her skills to navigate a variety of tasks in a fast-paced environment.  

“The apprenticeship has allowed me to not only learn theory but also see how those lessons translate into real-world situations,” explains Maya. 

As National Apprenticeship Week focuses on ‘Skills for Life’, Maya is already thinking about how this apprenticeship fits into her long-term career goals. With a passion for progressing within the company, she hopes to take on managerial roles in the future. 

She says: “My ambition is to move up within the company and eventually take on a management role. This apprenticeship is a fantastic stepping stone towards that.” 

When asked if she would recommend an apprenticeship to others, Maya doesn’t hesitate. “I would 100 per cent recommend an apprenticeship. It’s a chance to learn real-world skills, earn while you learn, and set yourself up for a successful future.”