For National Apprenticeship Week 2025, we're celebrating the incredible journey of apprenticeships past and present. Today we're spotlighting Anthony Newcombe who recently completed his Sales Executive Apprenticeship with Proplanet.
Anthony's story is a perfect example of how an apprenticeship can open doors, build real-world skills and lead to career progression. After completing an university degree he realised that employers were looking for practical experience- something that traditional education alone couldn't provide. Choosing an apprenticeship gave him the chance to gain industry knowledge, work hands-on in a growing business and earn a qualification that proved his expertise.
Read on to discover how Anthony's apprenticeship transformed his career, his advice for future apprentices, and his most memorable moments- including an unforgettable trip to Barcelona!
Why did you go down the apprenticeship route?
I chose to go down the apprenticeship route as following the completion of my degree, I found that most job adverts had a higher demand on work-related skills compared to those from a more classic academic route. I thought the opportunity to develop work-based skills alongside a formal qualification seemed like a no-brainer. An apprenticeship presented the opportunity to develop work-based skills in the best environment possible (by actually working), but also a formal qualification to back up and evidence these skills for future employers. In my opinion, this offered more back to me when compared to a graduate scheme.
What was your most memorable experience as an apprentice?
My most memorable moment during my time as an apprentice was the 20th anniversary of the business. As part of the 20th anniversary, the entire international team was flown out to Barcelona to watch the Formula one. This was a great opportunity to meet the wider team and establish a relationship with team members I may have never met otherwise.
How has your role developed over the last 2 years?
Proplanet offered me a unique position as the business was just establishing itself in the UK market. In the beginning, my role was largely support-based, with a growing number of UK customers my main focus was to lighten the workload by supporting colleagues. A big change came in the establishment of project work. As my knowledge increased, I was able to support progressively more complex work, which led me to begin supporting on projects. Following this I began to have my own projects and started developing the consultancy work in the UK. This led to me heading over to the head office in the Netherlands for further training on technical consultancy. I now work under the technical consultancy team in the Netherlands as well as supporting my colleagues in the UK with technical information.
What would be your advice to someone wanting to do an apprenticeship?
My advice to anyone wanting to start an apprenticeship would be go in with an open mind. That initial job description you sign on for isn't always written in stone. If anything, an apprenticeship offers you 2 years to find out what you like and don't like in work. That time then really becomes whatever you want to make of it. If someone's role or task interests you, go and speak to them about it, learn about the role, find out what you'd need to do and generally show an interest. Be curious, ask questions, at the end of the day you can blame not knowing something on being the apprentice! In a developing role you do also have a chance to give an opinion on the direction of that development.
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