...

From Panic to Power: How My Apprenticeship Changed Everything

By Scarlett Warner -
4 min read

Getting Started
I joined Tiro in October 2023. Like many students fresh out of school, I was met with the dreaded question: “What do you want to do after sixth form?”—a question I skilfully avoided at every opportunity.

After completing my A-levels and finally turning 18, I was approached by Tiro’s Managing Director, Nichola, about a potential apprenticeship opportunity as a Talent Scout. At the time, I had always assumed university would be my next step (despite never actually enjoying school—go figure). But once Nichola reached out, I decided to take a chance. Looking back now, I can confidently say it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

The Initial Doubt
I officially began my apprenticeship in January 2024, and almost immediately, I found myself wondering, “Is this really the right path for me?” But soon enough, I was fully immersed in learning and growing.

The transition from being a student who was content hiding at the back of the classroom to suddenly working in a fast-paced, results-driven environment was a massive shock to the system. As someone from Gen Z, where texting trumps phone calls, it was a huge surprise to discover how critical speaking on the phone would be in my role. In fact, the idea of calling someone used to make me feel physically sick, and I’d say that fear lingered for a good while.

Anyone who’s worked in recruitment knows your phone becomes your best friend. Avoiding it meant I wasn’t seeing the results I’d hoped for. Something had to change. Thankfully Tiro’s incredible trainer, Phil, took me under his wing and enrolled me in a six-month internal training program. I honestly owe everything I’ve learned to him.

During that training, I was in the office five days a week (yes, in 2025!). While remote work is great for some, being in the office was vital for my development. Collaborating with the team, learning from my mistakes firsthand, and not being able to hide away pushed me to grow quicker than I ever expected.

Overcoming Doubts
At a recent careers fair at Brentwood School, a student asked me, “How do you balance work and study at the same time?” My first instinct was to say, “It’s tough,”—because it is! But when I reflect on how much my confidence has grown, I know it’s been more than worth it.

Hate speaking on the phone? So did I. In 2023, even hearing my phone ring made me feel sick. Now, I can confidently hold conversations with anyone—even when I’m not entirely sure what to say. Getting over that fear wasn’t easy, but adopting the mindset of “Nobody’s going to die if I mess up” really helped. Over the past year, I’ve spoken to hundreds of people from all walks of life and built strong relationships with candidates who feel comfortable reaching out to me for advice and guidance on their next career move.

The Final Result
After more tears than I expected, plenty of mistakes, deep breaths, and a few long days in the office, I’m proud to say I’ve achieved a Distinction in my Level 3 Recruitment Consultant Apprenticeship!
Beyond the certificate, I’ve gained more skills in the past six months than many people develop in years. If I had a pound for every time a family member told me, “You’ve really changed,” I’d probably lose count (maths was never my strong suit anyway).

In Conclusion
If you’re unsure about your next steps, I highly encourage you to consider an apprenticeship. The real-world experience, combined with hands-on learning, is unmatched. For me, it’s been the most effective—and rewarding—way to grow both personally and professionally

Share

Solutions driven
recruitment

In today’s market, finding the right talent requires more than just posting a job advert. Scarcity of specialised skills and competition for top talent means recruitment has become increasingly complex. Tiro thrives in this space, using tailored recruitment strategies to connect businesses with the hard-to-find individuals who make a real difference.

We offer results without compromise by combining deep industry knowledge with access to “passive” candidates i.e. people not actively looking for a career change. People that are good at what they do, tend to be happy in their roles, and it is these high calibre individuals that could be perfect fit for your company. Partnering with Tiro gives you best-in-industry talent reach and confidence that every hire is the right one. The result? A recruitment process that saves time, reduces risk, and ensures the best people are placed at the heart of your company’s future.

Finding your hiring process is limiting candidate quality? Talk to Tiro today to find a solution to deliver the talent your business needs.
Scroll to Top