At Derwent Training, we don’t just preach continuous improvement, we live it. Nichola Zanda, our Business Support Manager, recently exemplified this by completing her Level 3 Team Leader Apprenticeship, proving that professional growth has no finish line.

Nichola’s story is one of true dedication. Having started her career at Derwent Training over 25 years ago as a Receptionist, she has risen through the ranks to lead our Business Support Team. Despite her decades of experience, Nichola chose to undertake a formal apprenticeship to transition from a “manager of tasks” into a “leader of people and processes.”

Innovation requires the courage to challenge the status quo. Nichola took on the ambitious task of dismantling a laborious, 15-year-old manual administration process that was prone to human error. Leveraging the framework provided by her apprenticeship, she successfully navigated the complexities of change management to implement “The Pipeline”, an automated system that has transformed our internal efficiency.

The results of Nichola’s initiative are a resounding success for the organization:

• Saves 10 administrative hours per week.
• Generates an annual cost saving of £8,722.
• Ensures process continuity through the clever embedding of technology.

Beyond the numbers, the apprenticeship provided Nichola with the tools to lead her team through the friction of technological change. By utilizing coaching and mentoring techniques learned in her studies, she provided encouragement and training rather than simple correction, ensuring her team felt empowered rather than overwhelmed.

The journey has fundamentally altered Nichola’s professional identity. With increased confidence in decision-making, she now proactively seeks out innovative solutions rather than relying on historical methods.

Nichola’s achievement is a powerful reminder that apprenticeships are for everyone—at any stage of their career. We are incredibly proud to have her leading our support functions into the future.