Upskilling HR Talent to Strengthen Organisational Performance

Name: Allison Outten
Apprenticeship: Level 5 People Professional Apprenticeship
Job Title: HR Officer
Manager: Gemma Clothier, Head of HR
Employer: Versalift UK

Building Capability and Confidence

Allison Outten joined Versalift UK to strengthen her strategic HR skills and prepare for career progression. She chose the Level 5 People Professional Apprenticeship to gain knowledge, practical experience, and professional credibility to move toward an HR Manager role.

"We wanted to invest in Allison and give her the opportunity to develop further," says Gemma Clothier - Allison's Manager and Head of HR at Versalift. "She had potential from the start, and the apprenticeship was a structured way to grow her capability while benefiting the organisation."

Versalift UK chose Realise to deliver the apprenticeship for their structured support and guidance, ensuring Allison could succeed while balancing her full-time role.

Applying Learning in the Workplace

Allison balanced assignments, discussions, and project work while applying her learning directly in the workplace. She took ownership of HR projects, engaged with managers and staff, and delivered initiatives such as sexual harassment training to improve engagement and compliance.

"The apprenticeship challenged me to think more strategically and apply my learning directly to real workplace situations," Allison reflects. "Completing the assignments gave me a great sense of achievement and boosted my confidence."

 

Leadership Growth and Organisational Impact

Since completing the programme, Allison has developed confidence, leadership, and the ability to challenge constructively. She now contributes strategically, manages projects independently, and supports the wider business.

"Allison has grown into a highly confident HR professional with a wealth of knowledge," her manager says. "She demonstrates leadership, challenges constructively, and requires less management, which has had a real impact on our team’s efficiency."

The apprenticeship has delivered tangible benefits:

• > Increased autonomy in HR responsibilities
• > Stronger HR function through streamlined processes
• > Strategic input valued in management discussions
• > Enhanced training delivery across the organisation
  
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"Investing in Allison’s apprenticeship has been a great return on investment," adds Gemma. "It’s an excellent way to engage and retain staff while building organisational capability."

Advice for Future Apprentices

"Be ready to commit and dive in—this apprenticeship will give you knowledge, skills, and confidence that last a lifetime," Allison says.

Her manager adds: “Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to upskill staff, retain talent, and strengthen your team’s capability. Supporting staff through learning delivers real business impact, as we’ve seen through Allison’s apprenticeship.”

Conclusion

The Level 5 People Professional Apprenticeship has been transformative for Allison, enhancing her leadership, confidence, and strategic contribution. It has also delivered measurable benefits for Versalift UK, making it a true win-win for both employee and organisation.

If you’re considering an apprenticeship for yourself or your team, now is the perfect time to invest in skills, unlock potential, and drive real business impact. Explore our business skills apprenticeship programmes here and start your journey.