Digital Marketing Coordinator
We are proud to join organisations across the UK in celebrating National Apprenticeship Week 2026. This annual event gives us the perfect opportunity to highlight the continued success and growth of our Apprenticeship Scheme. Now in its third year, the programme was recently recognised as Highly Commended by the European Contact Centre and Customer Service Awards. This achievement reflects not only the dedication of our apprentices but also the quality of the course itself and the unwavering support of the teams who guide and nurture their learning journey.
Our first cohort has now completed their apprenticeships, and our second cohort is approaching the final stages of their programme. In September 2025, we welcomed our third cohort, where the scheme expanded into new areas of the business such as IT, alongside continued opportunities in Customer Service, Credit Control and Data Analysis. This ongoing growth demonstrates our commitment to developing future talent and offering meaningful career pathways across Valda Energy.
As part of our celebration of National Apprenticeship Week, we are pleased to introduce James, one of the newest members of our apprenticeship scheme. James is currently completing his Level 3 IT Support Technician apprenticeship, marking a significant milestone as he is the first apprentice to join this team.
We invited James to talk us through his journey so far, sharing how the programme has already benefited him both personally and professionally. He also offers valuable advice to anyone considering applying for an apprenticeship with us, providing first hand insight into what the experience is really like and what future applicants can expect.
How did you find out about the Valda Apprenticeship, and what made you apply?
James first discovered Valda Energy through a LinkedIn post and was immediately drawn to the opportunity. As he explained, “What stood out to me was the chance to gain hands on experience in IT while working towards my long-term career goals. Valda’s focus on development and learning made it an ideal place to start my career.”
Can you describe what your typical day is like in your role.
James enjoys variety in his role, supporting colleagues and learning new skills every day. He shared, “A typical day involves troubleshooting issues, managing user accounts and making sure systems run smoothly. I also have dedicated learning time to complete my apprenticeship tasks, learn new technologies and document solutions. Every day is different and helps me build a wide range of skills.”
What has been your highlight so far?
His biggest highlight has been seeing his confidence grow. James said, “Gaining the confidence to resolve issues independently and seeing the impact of my work has been really rewarding.”
Tell us about your team and how they are supporting you in your apprenticeship journey.
James credits much of his progress to the support of his team. He told us, “My team has been incredibly supportive from day one. They are always happy to answer questions and involve me in real tasks. It makes me feel like a valued member of the team.”
How have Valda Energy’s training programmes or workshops enhanced your learning?
Alongside practical experience, James has benefitted from the wider development opportunities. He explained, “These programmes have improved my communication, confidence and problem-solving abilities, as well as my technical skills.”
What advice would you give to someone thinking about apprenticeships?
James encourages anyone considering an apprenticeship to go for it. “They are a great way to gain real experience while learning, getting hands on experience and earning at the same time. My advice would be to stay curious, ask questions and make the most of every opportunity.”
Rob, James’s Apprentice Buddy, shared his perspective:
Rob has already seen significant growth in James. He said, “Having James on the team has been a breath of fresh air. His perspectives have been insightful and he has grown noticeably in the short time since he joined. Supporting him has also given me a valuable early insight into mentoring and guiding others.”
Harry’s path from Apprentice to Customer Service Specialist
Harry began his journey as a Customer Service Apprentice, completing his Level 2 programme last year. He has since progressed into a Customer Service Specialist role, something he is incredibly proud of. As he shared, “Completing my apprenticeship gave me the confidence and skills to take the next step. Moving into a specialist role has allowed me to use everything I learned in a more advanced way.”
Throughout his apprenticeship, Harry benefited from the structured learning and steady support provided by the Learning and Development team. Their coaching sessions and detailed guidance helped him build capability and confidence. His standout moment was achieving a Distinction. “It was a milestone I worked extremely hard for,” he said. “It really proved how far I had come.”
He also credits his line manager for playing a key role in his success, offering revision time, one to one support and reassurance before assessments. “Her support made a huge difference. She helped me stay prepared and confident throughout” Harry told us.
Since stepping into his new position, Harry has taken on more complex queries and greater responsibility, which has strengthened his communication and decision making. “I use what I learned every day to support the team in resolving complex queries and offering them guidance when handling contact” he explained.
Looking back, he believes the most valuable skills he developed were customer care and communication. Learning how to adapt to different customers, listen actively and respond clearly has shaped his approach to service. “Being able to communicate well has helped me become resilient to tough situations and deliver a better experience for our customers” he said.
To anyone considering an apprenticeship, Harry offers simple advice. “Take the opportunity. You earn while you learn, and it can open doors to opportunities you never even knew were there. It is a rewarding way to build a long-term career and gives you the space to grow, discover your strengths and move forward with confidence.”
James’s and Harry’s journeys highlight the meaningful opportunities, confidence and long-term career development that our Apprenticeship Scheme continues to offer. Their achievements demonstrate the value apprentices bring to our organisation and the importance of celebrating and promoting apprenticeship pathways across our industry. We are incredibly proud of their progress and look forward to seeing where their careers take them next.
If you are interested in exploring apprenticeship opportunities at Valda, you can learn more about our early careers programme and register your interest in joining our 2026 cohort.
