11 minutes | Wednesday, 7 October 2026
If you have a question about an apprenticeship, click hereGetting an apprenticeship is only the beginning. What happens once you walk through the door?In Episode 2 of Season 2 of the WorkWise Apprenticeship Podcast, Express FM presenter Bradley Barlow talks to Charlotte Seymour, HR Talent Business Partner at Mountjoy, about recruiting apprentices, helping young people make the transition into the workplace and the support they need to build successful careers.It's the second of our opening three conversations looking at apprenticeships from an employer's perspective, before our student interviewers return to meet our next group of apprentices.Finding the right peopleA key part of Charlotte's role at Mountjoy is working closely with managers to recruit, develop and support apprentices across the business.But finding future apprentices doesn't begin with a job interview.Charlotte works in partnership with local colleges and training providers, building relationships that help Mountjoy connect with young people and emerging talent.Those partnerships can help someone understand the opportunities available to them, discover careers they may never previously have considered and prepare for that first step into the workplace.For a young person looking at their options after education, knowing what employers are looking for and having opportunities to engage with them can make that first move feel considerably less daunting.An apprenticeship is about more than learning the jobStarting work for the first time can be a big adjustment.Alongside learning the practical or technical skills required for their role, apprentices are also discovering how a workplace operates, building relationships with colleagues and developing skills they'll carry throughout their careers.Charlotte is committed to making sure apprentices at Mountjoy have the guidance, development and support they need throughout that journey.That includes helping apprentices build confidence and experience alongside the skills required for their chosen career.It's also a reminder that employers aren't necessarily expecting someone at the beginning of an apprenticeship to arrive as the finished article. An apprenticeship is designed to give people the opportunity to learn, develop and grow.Bringing apprentices togetherOne way Mountjoy supports that development is through its quarterly Apprentice & Trainee sessions.The sessions bring together apprentices and trainees from across different parts of the company to focus on topics that support their personal and professional development.They also give apprentices the opportunity to meet other people at a similar stage of their careers, share experiences, build networks and become part of the wider workplace.For somebody entering their first job, that sense of connection can be just as important as the technical training.Building skills and confidence for the futureThroughout WorkWise, we've heard apprentices talk about how much they've learned by actually doing the job.Charlotte's perspective allows us to look behind that experience and explore the work that goes into creating an environment where an apprentice can succeed.From relationships with colleges and training providers before recruitment, through to ongoing development once somebody joins the company, a successful apprenticeship is a partnership between the apprentice, employer and education provider.And while gaining qualifications and technical skills matters, developing confidence, communication, workplace experience and professional relationships can be just as valuable for whatever comes next.What are employers looking for?Season 2 began with Mountjoy Director and Owner Dan Carlin discussing what can make an apprentice stand out, including the importance of attitude, asking questions and showing a willingness to learn.In Episode 2, Bradley's conversation with Charlotte continues that story by looking at how young talent is discovered and, importantly, what happens after an apprentice has been given that opportunity.Next, we'll hear our third and final manager conversation before handing the microphones back to our student interviewers as they meet nine new apprentices and discover what their experiences are really like.🎧 Season 2, Episode 2 of the WorkWise Apprenticeship Podcast with Bradley Barlow and Charlotte Seymour is available wherever you get your podcasts.You can also listen to previous episodes and find out more about WorkWise at expressfm.com/workwise. If you have any questions about the podcast, apprenticeships or Mountjoy please send us a message.Â