A Worcester businesswoman is encouraging more people to consider apprenticeships during National Apprenticeship Week (NAW).

Jeya Greenfield, a business analyst for social housing and care provider Sanctuary Group, originally joined the organisation in the city branch as an apprentice back in September 2010.

Almost a decade later and she is now involved in managing major projects for Sanctuary’s maintenance division, as well as being a champion for ‘Women into Construction’, an independent organisation promoting gender equality in the construction industry.

NAW is an annual event which celebrates the talents and skills of apprentices and promotes the value of apprenticeship programmes. Jeya went straight into an apprenticeship after A-levels and says it was a hard decision to not head to university, particularly at a time when apprenticeships were less widely-known.

She said: “Choosing an apprenticeship was definitely the right decision for me. It helped me to launch my career, building my confidence and giving me all the skills, training and qualifications I needed to progress.

“I would definitely encourage others to consider an apprenticeship. Being able to get out there and learn while you are on the job is invaluable.”

Sanctuary’s national apprenticeship programme offers a variety of programmes, from level two up to degree level.

It was established in 2008 and has since supported almost 2,000 people into work, both directly and through development partners.

Apprentices work in a variety of business areas, including finance, IT, housing, maintenance, business and administration and health and social care, earning a wage and gaining valuable experience while studying for practical qualifications alongside their day-to-day role.

Sanctuary apprentices all over the country will be taking part in events to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, and Jeya says it is great to see apprenticeships being promoted to a wider audience.

“There is definitely a greater awareness of apprenticeships and the benefits that they can bring,” she said.

“I felt I was almost discouraged from taking an apprenticeship while I was at sixth form, but I think they are regarded much more highly now.”