Celebrating apprenticeship success at SES
As part of National Apprenticeship Week, we are spotlighting the success of Leah Armstrong, Bid and Proposals Apprentice at SES, who has recently completed her apprenticeship – not only passing with Distinction, but also finishing an impressive six months ahead of schedule.
Leah reflects on her journey, the skills she has developed, and her aspirations as she progresses into a permanent role with SES.
What inspired you to choose an apprenticeship with SES?
After leaving school I studied Sports Science initially, but I didn’t think staying in full-time education was the best fit for me and I wasn’t sure what direction to take next. A family member recommended considering the construction sector and the apprenticeship route as a way to earn, learn and gain meaningful industry experience.
Once I began researching SES and the range of apprenticeship pathways available, the Bid and Proposals programme stood out immediately. It offered a combination of industry insight, technical knowledge and creative delivery – something that really appealed to me. I wanted a role where I could apply creativity in a structured and impactful way, and bidding felt like the right fit.
What does a typical day in your apprenticeship look like?
From the start I was able to support bid activity, preparing documents, gathering information and contributing to submissions. Over time, I’ve been able to take on more responsibility, including leading elements of bids and shaping the creative approach to our documentation.
On-the-job learning was around 80% of my apprenticeship, with my college work consisting of monthly online webinars, e-learning modules and set tasks such as presentations and portfolio work. Although the formal education element concluded when I completed my apprenticeship, the learning continues through project work, training programmes, and increased exposure across the business.
What skills or knowledge have you developed?
My technical skills have progressed significantly, particularly in design software such as InDesign and Photoshop. I had some basic understanding beforehand, but the apprenticeship helped me develop those skills to a much more professional standard.
I have also gained an in-depth understanding of the bid lifecycle – how they are structured, reviewed and delivered – which I don’t think is widely accessible unless you are in the industry.
On a personal level, my confidence has grown substantially. I was quite shy when I first joined, but working closely with colleagues across different teams and taking ownership of projects has helped strengthen my communication skills with people across all different levels. This apprenticeship has helped me grow as a person and I’m truly proud of that.
What has been the most rewarding part of your apprenticeship?
Completing the programme and finding out I passed with Distinction was a significant achievement, especially finishing six months ahead of schedule.
Supporting successful bids has also been extremely rewarding. Knowing that my work has played a part in securing major projects is a real highlight – it always feels good to get a win!
How has SES supported your development and growth?
SES has provided consistent support throughout my apprenticeship, from additional training to hands-on exposure. A placement in November at the VITA project in Newcastle was particularly valuable. It allowed me to gain a practical understanding of how projects operate on site and see the construction process from a different perspective and how the end result of a building comes about.
I have also benefited from mentorship and guidance across the wider Bid and Proposals team, which has been instrumental in building my skills and confidence.
What are your career ambitions now that you’ve completed the apprenticeship?
While I started working primarily on our bids in the North, I have started to work more with the Central region where I originally joined as part of a placement. My aim is to take on greater responsibility and work with increasing autonomy while still collaborating closely with the wider team. I’m excited to keep progressing and taking on new challenges that are available at SES.
Would you recommend apprenticeships – particularly apprenticeships in the engineering sector – to others?
Yes, definitely. Apprenticeships offer a great balance of education and practical experience, especially for those who may not feel that full-time academic study is the right path. You learn on the job, build confidence and develop skills that are directly relevant to your career.
Before joining SES, I wasn’t sure if engineering or construction would be for me. I thought working in the built environment meant being on the tools on site, but I had no idea how many different roles and opportunities there were in the sector. The more awareness there is around that, the more people could find roles they genuinely enjoy.
Although entering a traditionally male‑dominated environment felt daunting at first, I have been pleasantly surprised. My team is made up primarily of women and the environment at SES is more supportive and inclusive than I what I may have initially expected from the construction and engineering sectors.
