Itec Apprentice Proves Progression Has No Limits While Living With MS

Itec Apprentice Proves Progression Has No Limits While Living With MS

Lauren Edwards has built a career defined by steady progression, growing confidence, and a genuine passion for hospitality management. Working at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club, she began her learning journey doing a Level 3 Supervision and Leadership apprenticeship with Itec Skills and Employment and since then, everything has accelerated. Since completing Level 3, Lauren has been promoted twice, moving from Supervisor to Assistant Club Manager. For her, continuing through Level 4 to Level 5 felt natural. Lauren reflected, "There's more to do, so why not take more on?" She thrives when she has goals to work towards, and each qualification has opened new doors, giving her the structure and challenge she enjoys. Lauren chose to continue with Itec because of the consistent support she received throughout her journey. Even with a change of assessor through the levels, the experience remained positive. She said, "Everyone has been lovely and helpful. If I needed anything, they were just at the end of the phone." This reassurance gave her the confidence to keep progressing, knowing she had people behind her who genuinely wanted her to succeed. Moving into higher-level learning has transformed Lauren's role. She now handles a wide range of back-of-house administrative tasks and has a deeper understanding of how the business operates. She describes Level 5 as the point where she truly stepped into leadership, "It's a lot more about being a leader than just work." Taking on more responsibility has helped her develop her team, support colleagues, and contribute more strategically to the club. One of the biggest impacts of Lauren's apprenticeship journey has been her confidence. The qualification tasks encouraged her to reflect on her own practice, something she found unexpectedly empowering: "You question yourself, but writing things down makes you realise you do know what you're doing." A standout moment was updating her CV for the Assistant Manager role. Seeing her achievements written down made everything click. Lauren said reflecting on this moment, "I realised I've actually done really well." Her confidence now grows year after year, shaping a clear sense of direction and pride in her work. Lauren lives with MS (Multiple Sclerosis), but she refuses to let it hold her back. She stays active, sets goals, and uses her apprenticeship as a positive focus: "It's nice to know I can still continue regardless of what happens in the background." Her colleagues are supportive, and she's even encouraged others to start apprenticeships themselves. Both Royal Porthcawl Golf Club and Itec have played key roles in Lauren's development. Her employer encourages progression without hesitation, and Itec's assessors are always available when needed. She said, "It's nice to know that if I did need help, they're a phone call away." This combination of workplace trust and training support has helped her grow into a confident leader. Before Level 3, Lauren wasn't sure what she wanted from her career. Now, she's found her passion. She hopes to become a manager in the future and feels equipped with the knowledge and experience to make it happen. Lauren's message is simple: For learners moving from Level 3 to Level 5: "Go for it. What have you got to lose? You're only going to get better." To people with long-term health conditions: "Go for it. You can do it in the comfort of your own home — it's not going to make anything worse." For employers: "It makes people happier. If you want your staff to thrive, they need to be confident. Apprenticeships are one way to have that." Lauren's journey shows how apprenticeships can build confidence, unlock progression, and help individuals discover a career they genuinely love.