Isabella Todd

What do you do in the business?

I work in the Apprenticeship Recruitment Team, supporting our Recruitment Consultant and Manager in helping young people secure apprenticeship opportunities. I manage the administrative side of the team, including drafting and managing vacancy adverts, reviewing applications, and shortlisting candidates for further consideration. Once candidates progress, I create and manage their files, check qualifications, and arrange online assessments.

I also provide careers advice to young people who contact us unsure about their next steps, and I support the team by identifying potential apprenticeship opportunities through market research. I really enjoy helping people kick-start their careers or supporting those looking for a change — it can be difficult to know what you want to do, and I’m grateful to play a part in that journey.

Since joining CT Skills, I’ve become more confident, improved my communication and organisation skills, and learned the importance of building strong relationships with colleagues. I genuinely love my job, the people I work with, and being able to support others. I’m incredibly proud of completing my own apprenticeship with CT Skills, which helped me grow both personally and professionally. It strengthened my business knowledge, increased my independence, boosted my confidence to make suggestions for improvement, and helped me become much more proactive.

What’s your background?

I studied Psychology, Photography, and Business at A-Level, completing them in 2022. As my studies ended, I was unsure about my future but knew university wasn’t the right path for me. I had a part-time job at a local restaurant, which I had started at 15, and continued working there while deciding what to do next.

During the summer after my A-Levels, I started looking for apprenticeships. It was challenging not hearing back or receiving feedback — until I got a call from Lesley about an accounting apprenticeship I had applied for. She was incredibly helpful and supportive, even though I wasn’t sure accounting was right for me. She still put me forward, and although I managed to secure an interview, I was unsuccessful. It was my first proper interview, and I was incredibly nervous.

A few months later, Lesley contacted me again to ask if I was still looking for an apprenticeship. By then, I had done more research and decided that a Business Admin apprenticeship would be a great starting point — and she told me she was looking for someone to join her team. I was so excited; after years of restaurant work, I was ready for something new. She booked a call with me and offered me an interview, which went so much better than the first. She made me feel calm and supported, and it felt more like a conversation than an interview. A few days later, she offered me the job.

I started my Business Admin apprenticeship soon after, completing it with CT Skills in 2024, and I’ve been working here ever since. The apprenticeship helped me develop new knowledge, build confidence, and strengthen my skills. I’ve also completed several of our short courses, including Information, Advice and Guidance, so I’m better equipped to support others who are unsure about their career paths.

What’s the best piece of careers advice you’ve received or given?

A great woman once told me, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” I often get overwhelmed and set unrealistic expectations for myself, so learning to celebrate small achievements has made a huge difference. My work — and my confidence — improved once I stopped pressuring myself to get everything done quickly. I learned to prioritise, take my time, and recognise my progress. I sometimes needed a reminder to appreciate what I had achieved, but now I’m genuinely proud of how far I’ve come.

And always keep asking questions. If you’re unsure or want to learn more, just ask — it’s far better to ask than to feel stuck or accidentally get it wrong.