The Director of HR and Legal Services at St Mary’s University, Twickenham (SMU), Ruth Thompson, has successfully completed the Coaching Professional (Level 5) Apprenticeship which launched in November 2023.
Ruth was part of the first St Mary’s cohort on the Coaching Professional Apprenticeship which covers key knowledge, skills, and behaviours in coaching. While the Apprenticeship typically takes sixteen months to complete, Ruth achieved it in just thirteen.
The Apprenticeship involved learning and reflective practice, delivering constructive feedback, and coaching theory and practice. Throughout it, Ruth also worked with members of staff across the University to empower and engage with them, with the aim of enhancing their professional performance.
Ruth’s completion of the Apprenticeship coincides with National Apprenticeship Week, which takes place from the 10th-16th February 2025. This annual event celebrates the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses, and the wider economy.
Speaking on the Coaching Professional Apprenticeship Ruth said, “I chose a coaching apprenticeship as I had informally coached before, but wanted to obtain a professional qualification. The Apprenticeship has definitely improved my coaching techniques and increased my wider knowledge of psychology and organisational and leadership culture. While managing work and study was challenging at times, I feel that the professional qualification has enhanced my own skills and knowledge to the benefit of me personally and within my work. Doing the Apprenticeship also gave me the opportunity to build a network, and work with colleagues across the University.”
Find out more about Staff Apprenticeships at St Mary’s.