Why study an apprenticeship with NTTC? Hear what our apprentices have to say!
9th February 2026
It’s National Apprenticeship Week 2026, and what better way to celebrate than hearing from some of our apprentices!
This week, we really wanted to shine a spotlight on our Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship (PGTA) route, which allows those with strong experience working in schools to gain Qualified Teacher Status. You will be immersed in school life from the very beginning of the course, allowing you to gain important hands-on experience that’s supplemented by relevant and engaging training back with us once a week.
To share their experiences studying the PGTA route with NTTC, we spoke to two apprentices – Ruby and Lucinda. Ruby is an NTTC graduate for the 2024/25 academic year, winning NTTC Secondary Trainee of the Year at our 2025 graduation - a fantastic achievement! Lucinda is currently studying to be a drama teacher through the apprenticeship route, and is working at City Academy Norwich.
Here’s what our apprentices had to say about studying a Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship with NTTC:
Ruby
Ruby began by explaining why she chose the PGTA route into teaching, saying
I wanted to have the opportunity to be fully immersed in school life from the outset. I was keen to gain practical classroom experience alongside my academic training, and the apprenticeship route allowed me to do this while developing my confidence in a real teaching environment. For me, learning on the job felt like the most effective way to build strong classroom practice, particularly within Social Sciences where relationships, discussion and behaviour management are so important.”
Ruby also discussed why she ultimately decided to train with NTTC over other providers, highlighting the support and that she received from the offset:
From the interview stage onwards, I felt well supported and informed about the route I had chosen and there was clear communication and an evident focus on high-quality, evidence-based teacher training, which I favoured. There are limited providers offering a dedicated Social Sciences teacher training route, so finding a programme that allowed me to continue developing my subject knowledge while learning how to teach was ideal.”
Ruby then highlighted how the structure of the course supported her professional development and wellbeing, sharing
NTTC’s course structure was particularly suitable for me as an apprentice because it allowed me to remain in school for the majority of the week, attending college only on Fridays. This meant I could fully immerse myself in school life and apply my learning directly to the classroom, still being able to manage school-based tasks like marking and lesson planning. Deadlines were well spaced out and clearly communicated, which made the workload manageable and prevented the course from feeling overwhelming. Throughout the programme, there was consistent support available from tutors and mentors, ensuring I felt guided and supported at every stage of my training.”
Ruby concluded by adding that the apprenticeship route "is an excellent option for those looking to develop confidence, resilience, and strong classroom practice from the very beginning of their teaching career and I believe it made me the teacher I am today!”
Lucinda
Lucinda shared how her school supported her to take those next steps in her career, saying
After almost six years at [City Academy Norwich] as a technician, and with lots of encouragement from my colleagues, I began the Postgraduate Apprenticeship in Drama through Norfolk Teacher Training Centre in September 2025. I will qualify in July!”
She explains how studying the PGTA route has allowed her to use her previous experiences to shape her teaching, sharing
It has given me the opportunity to use my degree in Performing Arts to make a real difference to students’ lives as well as my own, whilst remaining in the school I am dedicated to. Being able to rehearse, reflect on, and refine my practice in real time has helped me grow in confidence and develop my own unique teaching style, shaped by years of observing great teaching in my time as a technician.”
Lucinda also comments on how the apprenticeship has supported her career development:
The apprenticeship has been transformational for my career. When I first joined [City Academy Norwich] in 2019, I would never have imagined that I would have the opportunity to become a qualified teacher in my specialism; it has shown me what is possible with the right support.”
Lucinda concluded by adding that “This route into teaching has allowed me to feel supported, secure, and creatively fulfilled while training in the school I love. I would wholeheartedly encourage others thinking about a career in teaching to consider an apprenticeship with the support from NTTC!"
Is a PGTA the right route for me?
If you work in a school, and are looking to progress your career like Ruby and Lucinda, you’ve come to the right place!
Visit the PGTA page on our website for more information, or reach out to our team by emailing nttc@ccn.ac.uk or calling 01603 773708 – we’re always happy to help!