‘I had no idea what I was doing at 18 – now I’m running teams at Amazon’: Swansea apprentice shares her journey

Sara Evans, who works as an Area Manager at Amazon’s Swansea fulfilment centre, is sharing her experience during National Apprenticeship Week 2026. Amazon says it hopes stories like hers will encourage more people to consider apprenticeships.

Sara joined the company in 2014, straight out of school. “I literally had no idea about anything back then,” she said. “I’d ordered loads from Amazon, but I didn’t know how it worked behind the scenes. As soon as I started, I thought, ‘this is pretty cool’.”

According to Amazon, Sara began as a stower before her team leader spotted her potential and put her forward for extra training. She went on to become first‑aid trained, fire‑marshal trained and an instructor, before moving into team leadership.

Sara said her first apprenticeship helped her secure a permanent team leader role, which she held for several years before stepping up into management. When Amazon offered a higher‑level apprenticeship through the University of Exeter Business School, she applied immediately.

“The self‑awareness I’ve gained has been huge,” she said. “As a manager, earning people’s trust is everything. The apprenticeship goes really in‑depth on that.”

Sara said the best part of the job is the people she works with. “You’ve got to be honest and open with the team, and then it all works. Everyone wants to work for you and you work as one big unit.”

She added that she had always wanted to go to university but couldn’t afford to reduce her hours. “I can do this while I’m working. Why wouldn’t you do it? There are no negatives.”

Sara is due to complete her Operations Management Higher Apprenticeship in March 2026. She said she’s keeping her options open for the future, adding that Amazon offers “so many different fields” she could move into.

Her advice to anyone considering an apprenticeship is simple: “Just do it. It’s a no‑brainer.”

Amazon says its apprenticeship programme is ranked among the UK’s top three by the Department for Education. The company also says pay starts from £13.95 to £14.96 an hour depending on location, with benefits worth more than £700 a year.

Applications for 2026 are now open at amazonapprenticeships.co.uk.

Botanic Garden apprentices go from beginners to running Wales’ biggest glasshouse

The Carmarthenshire attraction is marking more than a decade of its horticultural apprenticeship programme during Apprenticeship Week Wales, saying the scheme has helped tackle what it describes as a long‑term skills shortage in the sector.

Garden says apprentices now run major plant collections

According to the Garden, some of the apprentices first recruited in 2015 — many with no horticultural experience — now help run the Great Glasshouse, which the Garden describes as the world’s largest single‑span glasshouse. The organisation says apprentices also contribute to maintaining plant collections seen by around 200,000 visitors a year.

Head of Horticulture, Learning and Nature, Donald Murray, said the programme was launched because the sector was facing “a long‑term workforce challenge”.

“Fewer young people were entering horticulture yet demand for skilled practitioners to care for living plant collections and landscapes was rising,” he said. “Apprenticeships were a great way to tackle the skills gap.”

14 apprentices recruited, says Garden

The Garden says it has recruited 14 apprentices over the past decade, ranging from school leavers to career changers, with around half progressing into full‑time roles. According to the organisation, former apprentices now lead specialist areas including the Great Glasshouse and the Double Walled Garden.

The Garden says its current apprentices follow a structured two‑year programme involving seasonal, hands‑on learning and rotational placements across its 568‑acre site. Apprentices also work towards qualifications such as RHS Level 2 Principles of Horticulture, which the Garden says is supported through funded training.

“Integral to our success,” says Garden

Donald Murray said apprentices now play a central role in the Garden’s operations.

“Apprenticeships have become integral to our success,” he said. “They strengthen our ability to deliver high‑quality horticulture and support our wider mission of education, skills development and public engagement.”

He added that apprentices bring “fresh ideas and energy”, and that many career‑changing recruits contribute valuable life experience.

According to the Garden, apprentices also gain skills through project work and seasonal programmes, including contributing to show gardens at events such as the Royal Welsh Show.

Garden says scheme supports Wales’ wider green skills agenda

The organisation says apprentices also act as “ambassadors for horticulture, biodiversity and wellbeing” by engaging with visitors, volunteers and community groups.

Looking ahead, the Garden says it hopes to expand its apprenticeship model into science, conservation, education, estates management and hospitality.

“For other businesses considering apprentices, it’s been a no‑brainer for us,” Donald Murray said. “It’s helped us grow and filled key skills gaps.”

Minister praises programme

Minister for Skills Jack Sargeant said the scheme is an example of how apprenticeships can support Wales’ environmental ambitions.

“Apprenticeships like those at the National Botanic Garden of Wales are essential to building the skilled workforce we need to tackle the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss,” he said.

“By combining hands‑on experience with recognised qualifications, we’re equipping the next generation with practical expertise to protect and restore our natural environment.”

Apprenticeship Week Wales runs from 9–15 February 2026, highlighting the impact of apprenticeship programmes across the country.

Vice President Kamala Harris participates in a moderated conversation honoring Apprenticeship Week in Boston, MA.

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https://www.youtube.com/live/cw8MQkMBuFU?si=OubaM6sUDFuryLv-

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