Pippa’s Apprenticeship

Pippa soared through her apprenticeship, wowing us all with her determination and talent. Her confidence has blossomed as she showcased her design expertise, sharpened her social media production skills, and honed her copywriting craft. Read about her experience of making the leap from young person to colleague.

“Two years ago, I finished my time on YG’s Team programme and said I had ‘rediscovered myself, gained back the confidence I had lost during Covid. It pulled me out of the rut I was in and made me believe I could do more.’ And I have. Over the past two years, I’ve worked for YG as their Marketing Apprentice, and it’s been an incredible experience.

“When I first walked through Young Gloucestershire’s doors, I was shy, uncertain, and lacking in confidence. Fast forward to now, as I near the end of my apprenticeship, I can confidently say I’m not the same person who started this journey. I’m more self-assured, and my outlook on life is so much brighter and more positive. YG has been a complete game-changer for me.

“At the start of my apprenticeship, everything felt new and a bit overwhelming. Self-doubt crept in—was I good enough? But those thoughts didn’t last long. As I grew into the role and took on more responsibilities, I started to trust myself and my abilities. My team had my back, and that support helped me silence my doubts and give myself the benefit of the doubt.

“Throughout this journey, I’ve developed my strengths and creativity, working on campaigns, managing social media, running our Vinted shop, and even designing merchandise. These hands-on experiences have helped me grow both in my role and as a person. I’ve learned to take initiative, handle responsibilities with confidence, and adapt to challenges—something I used to struggle with. Stepping out of my comfort zone has built my confidence and shown me what I’m capable of.

“Self-doubt and imposter syndrome still crop up now and then, but I’ve learned to manage them. YG has given me the tools to trust myself, recognise my achievements, and keep moving forward, even when things feel uncertain.

“The way I see it, YG acts as our training wheels. It’s where we start to rebuild ourselves, but the real journey is up to us. When you leave, you won’t be completely ‘fixed.’ Your confidence might still waver, and you might still face anxiety or self-doubt. But what you take with you is the ability to cope with those feelings and keep moving forward. YG gives you that little push, and for me, that push has gone beyond being a young person—it’s shaped me as a team member and as a work in progress.

“As I move on to my next chapter, I know I’ll still feel nervous or anxious at times, but I’ve learned to accept that as part of the process. I plan to keep growing and exploring new opportunities—I’ve even started freelance work. Thanks to everything I’ve gained from YG, I feel ready to take on whatever comes next.”