One of the most common questions people ask about apprenticeships is a simple one: what happens next? Do you stay with the same employer? Move into a new role? Change sector entirely?
The reality is that there is no single answer. Apprenticeships open doors rather than closing them, and outcomes can look very different from one person to the next.
To explore this, we recently caught up with Hammaad, a former Professional Economist Degree Apprentice. Following his apprenticeship with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), he now works as a Public Sector Business Case Consultant at Capgemini Invent, supporting digital and AI-led transformation programmes across the public sector.
Choosing the Apprenticeship Route
For Hammaad, the Professional Economist apprenticeship stood out because it matched how he learns best.
“I’ve always preferred to be more practical and hands-on. I’ve only ever learned so much from theory and I’ve really struggled to apply it in the real world.”
He recalls enjoying the practical elements of chemistry at A-level, while finding the theory more challenging. The opportunity to learn by doing, and to apply economic theory directly in the workplace, felt far more natural.
There were also important personal considerations behind his decision, including financial, ethical, and cultural factors.
“I’m a Muslim, and under my faith taking out interest-bearing loans is not permitted. I wouldn’t have been able to afford the tuition fees myself.”
The degree apprenticeship allowed him to stay true to his values while still achieving academically.
Coming from a family where no one had previously gone to university, Hammaad also found himself challenging common misconceptions.
“No one actually thought I was going to university until I graduated, and I showed them the pictures.”
The apprenticeship not only enabled him to earn a degree but also demonstrated to those around him that apprenticeships can be a valuable route to gaining a qualification.
Making an Impact as an Apprentice
During his apprenticeship, Hammaad worked on a number of high-profile policy areas, demonstrating the level of responsibility apprentices can be trusted with from an early stage. One of the most significant was his involvement in the XL Bully dog ban.
Despite being the most junior person in the team, Hammaad was trusted with a high level of responsibility. He supported the allocation of funding to local authorities and carried out analysis on dog ownership across the UK.
“My analysis itself was also in the media.”
The role required close collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders.
“I worked closely with a wide range of stakeholders, including No.10, police forces, and private sector organisations such as veterinary practices.”
Skills That Last Beyond the Apprenticeship
When asked which skills transferred most strongly into his current role, Hammaad immediately highlights communication.
“Early on in my apprenticeship, I was still learning how to tailor my communication, saying the right thing to the right person in the right way.”
Over time, he learned how to communicate clearly and effectively, particularly when working with senior stakeholders.
“Time is very valuable, so getting your point across in a very focused way really helped get me to where I am.”
As an economist, much of his work is highly technical, but Hammaad stresses that impact comes from translation.
“Not everyone’s a numbers person. You have to be able to convey what you’re saying to people who don’t understand complicated terminology.”
Transitioning into a New Organisation
Moving into consultancy after completing his apprenticeship meant adapting quickly to a new environment. Hammaad credits the apprenticeship with preparing him for this.
“You had to balance multiple modules at once, and that really helped with setting priorities and tackling multiple things at the same time.”
Although imposter syndrome can sometimes surface, particularly when advising senior professionals, Hammaad draws confidence from his apprenticeship experience.
“Based on the experience and knowledge I gained over four years, I’m able to show that I am competent and that I do have the skills to advise.”
Shaping Long-Term Career Ambitions
Completing an apprenticeship has fundamentally shaped how Hammaad thinks about learning and progression.
“It’s definitely instilled a drive for education and for excellence.”
As a result, he is now actively considering further professional qualifications, such as CIMA or ACCA.
“I don’t think I truly appreciated how valuable additional education can be until I actually experienced it myself.”
A Pathway with Many Outcomes
Apprenticeship pathways look different for everyone and lead to a wide range of outcomes. Hammaad’s journey shows just how far an apprenticeship can take you, from shaping national policy to supporting digital and AI-led transformation across the public sector.
What is clear is that apprenticeships do far more than develop technical skills. They help people build confidence over time, adapt to new challenges, and develop a lasting appetite for learning. These qualities benefit both individuals and the organisations they go on to work for.