Developing Leadership Through Degree Apprenticeships

Case Study: Amanda Barbour, Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship with Lancashire County Council

Background

Amanda Barbour had been working in management roles for around ten years when she decided to undertake a degree apprenticeship. During that time, she had completed a range of short professional courses which were useful, but she felt they didn’t quite provide the depth or impact she was looking for. Amanda wanted a programme that would stretch her, build on her experience, and support the next stage of her career development.
After reviewing the course content of the degree apprenticeship, Amanda felt it “ticked all the boxes.” A key factor in her decision was the opportunity to continue working whilst studying, allowing her to develop academically without stepping away from her professional responsibilities.

Career Progression

One of the most significant advantages of the degree apprenticeship was its direct impact on her career progression. She began the programme as a Senior Manager within Children in Our Care at Lancashire County Council and completed it having been promoted to Head of Service for Fostering, Adoption and Residential Services. 

This progression highlights how higher and degree apprenticeships can support the development of the strategic leadership skills, confidence and organisational insight required to move into more senior roles, all whilst remaining embedded in the workplace.

Applying Learning in Real Time

A standout benefit of the apprenticeship for Amanda was the ability to immediately apply learning to a real work environment. Amanda describes the value of being able to “purposefully practise” what she was learning. Studying alongside full-time work meant that theory was never abstract – it could be tested, reflected upon and embedded straight away.

Amanda found that every module contributed to her professional development, even those she initially struggled to see the relevance of. For example, learning around marketing became crucial when she began managing the fostering service, where recruitment, engagement and communication were vital to its success. Amanda felt that this breadth of learning certainly helped her to become a more rounded and effective leader.

Organisational Impact

The benefits of the degree apprenticeship extended beyond Amanda’s own development. The projects and learning undertaken throughout the programme fed directly back into Lancashire County Council, supporting service improvement and more informed decision-making. Rather than being a single, isolated project, Amanda was able to draw on insights from the entire course and apply them across her role, delivering ongoing value to the organisation.

Support and Flexibility

Support from the training provider played a vital role in Amanda’s positive experience. She highlights the high quality of teaching and the understanding shown by staff around the pressures of balancing full-time work with study. Flexible delivery, alongside consistent academic support – particularly during her dissertation – ensured she felt supported throughout the apprenticeship journey.

Why Choose a Degree Apprenticeship?

For Amanda, the degree apprenticeship offered a unique combination of academic depth, practical relevance and career progression. The ability to earn, learn and immediately apply new knowledge made the experience both challenging and rewarding. 

Amanda would “absolutely” recommend a degree apprenticeship to anyone considering it. Her journey demonstrates how degree apprenticeships can support long-term career development, strengthen leadership capability and deliver tangible benefits for both individuals and organisations.