Eloise is an Urban Planning degree apprentice at Lincolnshire County Council. After beginning her career in 2010, she returned to education to achieve her professional ambitions.

“I left school at 16 and didn’t know what I wanted to be ‘when I grew up’. However, I have always been keen to learn and develop my skills. Since joining Lincolnshire County Council in 2010, I have completed several qualifications. After joining the planning team I quickly realised that I have a passion for protecting and enhancing the environment, particularly through mineral and waste planning. 

“I knew that to progress my career to a senior management level, I would need to become a Chartered Planner. Having a young family, I needed to ensure that I could pursue studying whilst earning a wage.

“Studying an apprenticeship at Sheffield Hallam has offered many benefits, including gaining valuable experience within my workplace and providing me with support and mentorship from more experienced colleagues. The apprenticeship has helped me to grow in confidence professionally and taught me skills that have given me the ability to deal with challenges in a more pragmatic way.

“I am responsible for determining mineral and waste planning applications. My role involves balancing proposed developments against material considerations and contributing towards ensuring that mineral and waste developments are carried out with minimal impact on the environment and the local amenity. 

“During the apprenticeship, I received a promotion and took a sideways move into development management. This promotion has enabled me to reach a goal and motivated me to keep striving to achieve my future ambitions.

“It’s never too late to go back into education, even if you have other commitments. It took me until I was 27 years old to realise what it was that I wanted to do ‘when I grew up’ and with hard work and determination I eventually began my studies in planning when I was 31.”

“I have had conversations with colleagues who are considering an apprenticeship and feel nervous about it due to being away from education for a period of time or feeling intimidated by the length of the course. I have shared my experiences and explained that time will pass regardless of whether or not they embark on an apprenticeship, but if they are passionate and are willing to work hard, it will without a doubt be worth it.

“Over the next five years, I would like to be promoted to Senior Planner level and on my way to Principal Planner. It is my intention to pursue these goals within the mineral and waste planning space.”