Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week: A Mentor's Perspective
13 Feb 2025
National Apprenticeship Week is a time to celebrate the positive impact apprenticeships have on individuals and businesses. At Sort Group, we recognise the value of investing in young people, helping to develop talent while providing hands-on experience and a clear path for career progression.
Just as apprenticeships provide valuable learning experiences, our mentors play a key role in this journey, offering guidance and expertise to help apprentices cultivate new skills, build confidence, and thrive in the workplace.
In this feature, James Mitchell, our Group Finance Manager, offers his perspective on the value of mentoring and how apprenticeships contribute to the growth of both individuals and the wider team.
How do you approach mentoring to ensure the success of your apprentice?
I ensure that we have a great working relationship where they feel comfortable asking any questions and provide regular constructive feedback.
In what ways have you seen apprenticeships contribute to the growth of Sort Group?
We offer apprenticeships in the majority of departments in Sort Group and that’s how I started in 2019, since then due to the skills developed for the specific needs of the Group it has resulted in current processes being improved and allowed for a much smoother working day (at least in accounts!)
How has mentoring an apprentice shaped your own personal and professional growth?
Mentoring has allowed me to develop my leadership skills and reflect on my knowledge. I often find that working with an apprentice highlights areas I could improve my own skill set, which has been an invaluable opportunity for personal growth.
What advice would you give someone mentoring an apprentice for the first time?
Ensure you adapt your approach and be accommodating as every apprentice has different learning preferences when it comes to being introduced to a task for the first time. This will make for a much more effective training style.
What do you find most rewarding about being a mentor?
It’s always great to see the apprentices pass exams and come to grips with new areas of finance!
If you'd like to learn more about the Sort Legal team, follow us on Social Media for regular updates!