Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week: A Mentor's Perspective
12 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, our IT Team, Matt Ewers, and Conrad Kent share their insights on the value of mentoring and how apprenticeships benefit both the individual and the wider team.
What made you take on an apprentice?
Matt: As the business continues to grow, we recognised the need to expand - and with that came the opportunity to invest in the next generation of IT professionals. This led us to partner with Althaus to bring in the company’s first Apprentice IT Administrator, Tom. It was a great way to develop new talent while strengthening the team.
Conrad: With the business expanding across the UK, we needed to grow our IT team. This presented a perfect opportunity to bring in an apprentice who could develop their skills alongside our growth, filling emerging niches that the business requires and specialising where their talents led them. Having benefited from an apprenticeship myself, I understand the value of investing in this pathway.
What skills have you developed through your experience as a mentor?
Matt: Mentoring has changed the way I think about communicating concepts and requests. I’ve learned how to guide someone without just handing them the answer, which has been valuable. It’s also helped me refine my ability to give constructive feedback and adapt to different learning styles.
Conrad: Taking on an apprentice has been my first step into management and leadership. It's been invaluable for developing essential management skills, from setting clear expectations to guiding and nurturing someone else's professional development.
What do you think is the value of having apprentices as part of the team?
Matt: Apprentices bring a fresh perspective, which is always valuable. They ask questions that make you rethink things, and their enthusiasm can be contagious. Plus, investing in apprentices helps us build a pipeline of skilled IT professionals who already understand how the team and business work.
Conrad: The fresh perspective a new team member brings is always valuable. Apprentices, often being younger, offer a unique viewpoint we might otherwise miss. Their questions, which we might overlook, force us to re-examine our own assumptions and approaches.
What advice would you give someone mentoring an apprentice for the first time?
Matt: Go for it! It’s a great opportunity to share your experience and knowledge with the next generation. Just be patient and create an environment where they feel encouraged to think through problems instead of expecting immediate answers - that’s where the real learning happens. Also remember, mistakes will happen, but they’re a crucial part of the learning process. Helping them understand and learn from those mistakes will build their confidence and problem-solving skills.
Conrad: Clarity is key. Be clear about expectations and provide a structured environment. This helps apprentices settle in, build confidence, and gain skills effectively. Regular feedback is also essential for both of you to understand the apprentice's progress. And, of course, be patient. Apprentices don't have the same depth of experience, so be prepared to support them through challenges, even with tasks you find simple.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned from being a mentor?
Matt: Everyone learns in their own way, so it’s important to try different approaches and find what works best for them. Giving them the right support and guidance in a way that suits their learning style gives them the best chance to succeed.
Conrad: Mentoring solidifies your own knowledge by requiring you to articulate it clearly. It also challenges your existing expectations and experience by introducing new perspectives. It's a learning experience for both mentor and mentee.
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