Upskilling for Leadership: George’s Apprenticeship Journey with CFA and the Growth Company

George Quiligotti recently started a Level 3 Team Leader apprenticeship with the Growth Company while working at CfA (Centre for Assessment) - choosing an apprenticeship as a practical way to develop his leadership skills as he stepped into a people management role for the first time.

Having joined CFA as a Digital Marketing Specialist, George’s role naturally evolved over time. As his responsibilities grew, he moved into a Marketing Manager position, overseeing key quality standards including the matrix Standard and Trusted Standard. While George had strong experience managing processes, managing people was new territory.

“I’d never line managed before,” George explains. “When I started managing people, I knew I wanted proper training, not just a few sessions, but something that would genuinely help me do the role well.”

Rather than opting for short courses, George chose an apprenticeship. Having previously completed a marketing apprenticeship earlier in his career, he already understood the value of structured learning, ongoing support and being able to apply new skills directly in the workplace.

“An apprenticeship gives you more than just theory,” he says. “You’ve got regular guidance, external support, and time to reflect on how you’re actually managing day-to-day.”

The onboarding process was straightforward, with George completing eligibility checks and induction within a month. Since starting the programme, he’s found that much of his learning naturally fits around his role - from attending management meetings to leading conversations with his team - all of which contributes to his apprenticeship portfolio.

Importantly, the apprenticeship hasn’t disrupted business needs.

“It hasn’t affected my workload or performance at all,” George adds. “A lot of the learning is built into what I already do - the apprenticeship just helps me do it better.”

George also manages an apprentice within his own team, giving him first-hand insight into how apprenticeships work from both perspectives - learner and line manager. This has reinforced his view that apprenticeships are not just for school leavers, but a powerful development tool for people already in work.

“Upskilling through an apprenticeship shouldn’t sit solely with the individual,” George says. “If managers want to develop their teams, they should actively encourage apprenticeships as an option.”

During National Apprenticeship Week, George’s story highlights how apprenticeships can support career progression at every stage - helping employees grow into leadership roles while delivering immediate value to their organisation.

If you’re an employer, find out how apprenticeships can help your team upskill.