SS&L Apprentices of the Month – February 2026

“Emily and Vicki are both brilliant to have as part of our team. The two of them being joint winners feels completely right, and they should be incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved – we certainly are!”

Congratulations to our first ever double winners, Vicki and Emily, for both winning our Apprentice of the Month award for February 2026!

Area Manager Vicki and Account Manager Emily work together for Goosemoor Educatering in Exeter and started their Level 5 Operations Manager apprenticeship at the beginning of this academic year. Their tutor Denise told us that “both Vicki and Emily have approached their apprenticeship with enthusiasm, submitting high quality work and being proactive in seeking out opportunities to progress in their roles. The only problem is I couldn’t separate them!”

Career progression

Both our winners were already working in management roles when they started their Level 5 Apprenticeships. “I enrolled because I wanted to develop both my practical management experience and gain a formal qualification in Operations,” Emily tells us.  “I was aiming to strengthen my ability to lead teams, manage processes, and drive business outcomes. I knew the program would push me out of my comfort zone and make me think strategically, not just operationally.”

Vicki agrees, saying “I joined the apprenticeship to grow within Educatering, and to understand the business better. I was excited to learn more and while nervous about the challenge, I felt proud to have the opportunity.”

Practical Application

Emily says “My favourite part has been learning how to apply legislation and regulatory frameworks in real operation settings and putting processes in place to meet those requirements. It’s satisfying to see how good operational management and compliance go hand-in-hand to protect the business and its employees.

“Balancing the apprenticeship with the daily demands of managing operations has been the toughest part. The support from my tutor and SS&L has been excellent – they’ve helped me break down complex tasks, offered guidance on real-life application, and provided feedback which made it easier to implement solutions confidently!”

This sentiment is echoed by Vicki. “The hardest part of the apprenticeship is balancing work and study during busy periods. But my tutor and SS&L have been supportive and approachable which has made it much easier. Being able to apply everything I learn straight into my role has been really rewarding.”

Personal Growth and Development

There’s more than practical skills and theory which comes with an SS&L apprenticeship: “I’ve noticed significant growth in my leadership and decision-making confidence,” says Emily. “I’m more comfortable interpreting regulations to make operational decisions and delegate tasks strategically.”

Vicki says “Even though it’s still early days, I’ve started to notice my confidence growing, particularly in communication and decision-making. I’m still learning, but the apprenticeship has already helped me think differently about how I work.”

Their growth has been noticed by Goosemoor and Educatering director Jamie who told us that “Emily and Vicki are both brilliant to have as part of our team. What really stands out is that they’ve chosen to take on extra professional development alongside their roles, which shows how committed they are to developing themselves. We’ve seen a real growth in their confidence and skills, and their enthusiasm has a positive knock-on effect to everyone around them! The two of them being joint winners feels completely right, and they should be incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved – we certainly are!”

What does the future hold?

“After completing the apprenticeship,” says Vicki, “I want to keep growing within Educatering, taking on more responsibility, and continue supporting teams to deliver the best service for pupils!”

“I aim to move into a senior operations or departmental leadership role,” says Emily. “Long-term, I see this apprenticeship as a stepping stone towards executive-level operations management where I can combine leadership, strategic planning, and operational excellence.”

If you’d like to know more about how an advanced Level 5 Apprenticeship can help you progress in your career, speak with our enrolment team today on 0330 332 7997.