Kerry Redgate

What do you do in the business?

My name is Kerry, and I am a Business Development Manager at CT Skills. My role is to support employers in enhancing their workforce through the apprenticeship provision we offer. I also help employers with their recruitment needs and work closely with our recruitment team to fill their apprenticeship vacancies. Another key part of my role is supporting apprentices to take the next steps in their careers by enrolling them onto programmes that develop their knowledge and skills, enabling them to progress within their chosen fields. It is extremely rewarding to share my knowledge of apprenticeships with both employers and apprentices, helping them develop their teams or advance their careers. We have a fantastic team here at CT Skills, and I feel proud and fortunate to work alongside such wonderful colleagues.

What’s your background?

Before joining CT Skills, I always worked in customer service or sales roles. I gained valuable experience working for organisations such as The Nottingham Evening Post, Capital One, and Welcome Finance. Much of this work was in fast-paced call centre environments, where I received strong training and developed the ability to support a wide range of customers with different enquiries and needs.

I have now worked at CT Skills for almost 16 years and have taken on several roles during my time here. I first joined the business in employer engagement, where I was responsible for building relationships with employers and enrolling their staff onto the NVQs we offered at the time. After a couple of years, I went on maternity leave, and when I returned, I moved into the world of apprenticeships. I worked in the recruitment team, supporting employers to fill their apprenticeship vacancies, and later spent time in the busy customer service team, taking incoming calls from learners, Job Centres, and referral partners, and booking learners onto programmes. I joined the Business Development Team as a BDM three years ago, and it has been a fantastic journey ever since.

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

The best career advice I would give is to take the time to find work that aligns with your interests, goals, and values. It is so important to enjoy what you do, as we spend a large part of our lives at work. When you love your job, going to work feels enjoyable rather than a chore. If you are passionate about what you do, it will shine through — helping you excel in your role while feeling content and fulfilled at the same time. A true win–win.