“I received excellent feedback throughout the course, which really helped build my confidence and improve my understanding. The support was consistent, and guidance was always available whenever I needed it. I felt encouraged to develop both professionally and personally, and the advice provided was always clear and constructive. Overall, it was a very positive experience, and I would highly recommend it to others.”
“"Overall, I found the course satisfactory; however, I have some significant concerns regarding the age of the materials. A large portion of the case studies and data points cited were from the 1980s and early 1990s. While I appreciate that core theories remain constant, the lack of contemporary application- specifically regarding modern technology - made the content feel outdated. In 2026, advice based on 30-year-old contexts often lacks relevance to the current landscape. I would recommend updating the modules to include recent developments and tech-integrated theories to ensure the learning remains applicable."”
“I have just completed the L5 Operations or Departmental Manager apprenticeship. The course material is well structured for self-paced learning, and the seminars and workshops were a good enhancement. Feedback on submitted work was constructive and my coach was supportive and encouraging. All round, a great experience, and success evidenced in my EPA result.”
“Completing the Professional Coaching Apprenticeship has been one of the most valuable and transformative learning experiences of my career. It has strengthened my skills as a coach, deepened my self‑awareness, and given me practical tools to support colleagues across the organisation in a more confident, ethical and structured way.
A significant part of the programme focused on shifting from “problem‑solving” to “empowering”. I learned how to:
-hold space rather than lead conversations
-ask purposeful, forward‑moving questions
-work with silence comfortably
-trust the coachee’s ability to generate their own solutions
This has made a noticeable difference in my coaching style. I now approach sessions with a more grounded, curious mindset, focusing on facilitating insight rather than providing answers.
Throughout the apprenticeship I gained stronger capability in:
-using recognised coaching models (e.g., GROW, CIGAR, CLEAR)
-structuring sessions effectively
-contracting and re‑contracting
-managing boundaries and expectations
-applying ethics consistently in practice
-supporting coachees working through change, confidence issues, and leadership development
My confidence has grown as I’ve seen the impact of these skills in real coaching relationships.
Feedback from coachees highlighted increased clarity, improved decision‑making and tangible progress towards their goals—which reinforced how meaningful the coaching process can be when done well.
One of the greatest strengths of this apprenticeship was the focus on real-world practice. Working with a range of coachees helped me:
-adapt my coaching approach to different personalities, roles and learning styles
-understand the challenges faced by colleagues across the organisation
-appreciate how coaching supports culture, performance and wellbeing
I also developed better documentation habits—writing clear session notes, reflective entries, and evidence aligned to professional standards. This has supported both my own development and the governance of coaching within the organisation.
Reflection became a core part of the experience. I learned to:
-critically analyse my sessions
-recognise my strengths as a coach
-identify recurring patterns in my practice
-seek feedback constructively
-plan meaningful development actions
These reflective habits now feel embedded, and I use them outside of coaching too—particularly in leadership, stakeholder management and supporting organisational development work.
The apprenticeship has strengthened my identity as a coaching practitioner. I feel more confident in:
-positioning coaching as a valuable part of the organisation’s development offer
-advocating for a coaching culture
-supporting colleagues preparing for leadership roles
-collaborating with other coaches and mentors
-contributing to wider strategic work, such as talent management, people development and organisational learning
It has reinforced my belief that coaching is not only a tool but a mindset—one that aligns strongly with my values and the way I want to support others.
Completing the apprenticeship is not the end of the journey. It has inspired me to:
-continue ongoing CPD aligned with the EMCC
- explore supervision more deeply
- contribute to a coaching community of practice within my organisation
- support the organisation to build confident, empowered and reflective leaders
Overall, the apprenticeship has been challenging, stretching, and incredibly rewarding. I feel far better equipped to make a positive impact through coaching, both now and in the future.”
“Couldn't have asked for a better support throughout completing this apprenticeship. Regular updated and check-ins, I felt informed throughout and all my anxieties going into EPA were addressed and supported.
I would like to especially thank Natalie Collins for being my biggest support and I don't feel I could have completed my work to such a high standard without her help. I would also like to thank Lisa Williams for being a great assessor during my EPA, once again helping with anxieties and creating a calm and professional environment.”
“My Tutor Paul was more than accomodating for my ADHD and really helped me stay on track and build the confidence to go into my EPA feeling prepared.
The course is easily laid out online and it is easy to track progress and send submissions.
All together, I learned a lot from this course and it was great to have a supportive coach.”
“Simon Cook supported me throughout the Level 5 CMI Operations and Departmental Leader apprenticeship, and the support he provided was outstanding. He was approachable, responsive, and consistently clear in his guidance, which helped me keep momentum through the programme requirements. His feedback and encouragement made a real difference to my confidence and performance. Thanks to his support, I achieved the distinction I was aiming for.”
“Tom Kennedy was a brilliant support throughout my Apprenticeship (Level 4, Associate Project Management). From the very beginning, he was incredibly encouraging, especially when I was working on my portfolio. He consistently took the time to review my work and offer constructive feedback. His guidance made a huge difference in both my confidence and the quality of my submissions.
I also had the opportunity to attend some of his webinars, and he is a truly engaging teacher. He explains complex topics clearly, brings real enthusiasm to his sessions, and creates an environment where everyone feels comfortable asking questions and contributing.
When it came to preparing for my End Point Assessment, Tom was really there for me. He scheduled regular calls to check in, made sure I felt confident and prepared, and was always available to answer questions. Nothing was ever too much trouble for him, and his reassurance and structured support helped me stay focused and calm during such an important stage.
Thank you for all your help and support, Tom - I genuinely couldn’t have achieved a distinction without you.”
“The apprenticeship program was very well structured and utilised different learning environments to deliver content designed to be informative, thought provoking and empower students to demonstrate knowledge gained. The digital platform used was user friendly and enabled quick visual identification of progress and progress against gap analysis for knowledge, skills and behaviours. The staff at KnowledgeBrief were professional, knowledgeable and supportive when delivering webinars and providing feedback on submissions.
Overall I felt the Level 4 Associate Project Manager course was enjoyable and has provided foundations for a career change for myself, I'd highly recommend the course to anyone wishing to develop their knowledge of project management.”
“Learning process appeared very complex and the kick-off was delivered so quickly I really did not fully grasp what was required of me. Check-ins with the tutor were too infrequent and at one point I went several months without contact. I felt supported by the tutor towards then end of the course, but possibly because a milestone was due and not in the interests of my learning. Not a good experience in my opinion.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time doing the apprenticeship. My skills coach, Emma Bowles, was especially fantastic and supportive. As a new manager, it was very useful to do the apprenticeship as I could utilise my learning in real life. I would highly recommend the apprenticeship to others!”
“Completing my L5 Leadership and Management Apprenticeship has been one of the most rewarding and impactful professional development experiences of my career. I thoroughly enjoyed the programme, not only because of the high-quality learning content but also because everything I studied was directly applicable to my role as a Transformation Business Partner. From day one, I was able to take what I learned and use it to strengthen my leadership approach, improve how I manage change and enhance the way I support colleagues across the organisation.
The course provided a strong foundation in all the cores areas required of an operational manager. I developed my skills in creating and delivering operational plans, leading projects, managing teams and navigating organisational changes, all of which I use in my daily work. The modules on financial and resource management, talent management and effective coaching and mentoring were especially valuable, giving me practical tools I could immediately put into practice with my team and wider stakeholders.
Although I really enjoyed the course, it certainly wasn’t without challenges. My EPA fell in January, which meant a significant amount of preparation had to be completed over the Christmas period. Balancing festive commitments with writing, revising and preparing was difficult at times, but it also pushed me to stay focussed and disciplined. In the end, the hard work absolutely paid off, and achieving a Distinction felt like a truly meaningful recognition of the f=effort and commitment I invested.
The EPA itself required me to demonstrate competence across a broad range of leadership capabilities, including operational planning, project management, leading and motivating teams, managing change and applying financial insight. I also gad the opportunity to showcase my coaching and mentoring practice, which has become a key part of how I support others. Successfully bringing all of these elements together was a proud moment.
Another major benefit of the apprenticeship has been gaining membership and CPD access through CMI. The resource, guidance and leadership tools available through CMI have already helped me continue growing beyond the apprenticeship, and I’m looking forward to continuing to use them to take on new challenges and develop further as a leader. Knowledge Brief has also been fantastic, an excellent forum for learning and capturing all of my work and progress, as well as the guidance from a fantastic tutor, who was readily available with her expertise. The workshops were excellent and also provided great opportunities for networking.
Overall, this apprenticeship has been transformational for me, building my confidence, sharpening my leadership capability and giving me a solid framework to support the work I do every day. Would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to strengthen their management skills while making a real impact in their organisation.”
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Knowledge Brief for the support provided throughout this course, particularly Louise Perry Vurley, who consistently offered guidance and encouragement over the past 18 months. The Knowledge Brief platform was informative, easy to navigate, and offered a broad depth of knowledge across each module.
I thoroughly enjoyed the course and will take away valuable insights and learning as I progress into the next stage of my career”
“I recently completed my Team Leader/Supervisor Apprenticeship-Level 3 with Knowledge Brief. The experience has genuinely transformed me, both professionally and personally.
The apprenticeship was well organised, clear, and helpful. The workshops, delivered by Serena and Emma, were exceptionally helpful. They broke down complex concepts in a way that was easy to understand and created space to ask questions, reflect, and build confidence. The breakout rooms were especially valuable, as they gave us the opportunity to listen to different perspectives, share experiences, and learn from one another. I always left the sessions feeling motivated, and clearer in my thinking.
Whenever I submitted work, Kam provided constructive feedback, which was genuinely useful. The feedback helped me refine my thinking, strengthen my written work, and understand where I could improve. That support made a difference throughout the apprenticeship.
A special thank you to April, my Skills Coach. Throughout the apprenticeship she has been incredibly supportive, patient, and understanding from start to finish. She challenged me in the best way, encouraged my growth, and always made me feel capable, even when I doubted myself. Beyond academic support, April genuinely cared about my development and growth, creating a safe space for me to think, challenge myself, and step confidently into my leadership potential. Her guidance played a huge role in helping me build confidence in my leadership ability and ultimately achieve a Distinction.
I would highly recommend Knowledge Brief to anyone looking to develop their leadership skills.”
“I found the skills coaches to be knowledgeable, supportive, and genuinely committed to our development. Their expertise consistently came through in the sessions.
One area that could be improved is the structure of the workshop days. Typically, we would learn a new topic in the morning and then practise it in breakout groups in the afternoon. Because these groups were made up of peers who had also only just learned the material, it often felt like we were all trying to interpret and apply the techniques at the same time. While coaches did drop in, it wasn’t always enough to ensure we were practising correctly or receiving timely feedback.
Another challenge was the balance between in‑person learning and self‑study. More in‑person sessions with our peer groups from our own organisations would have made a meaningful difference. The self‑study modules were helpful in theory, but because we were working through them independently, it could be difficult to check our understanding or ask questions as they came up. This sometimes created uncertainty about whether we were approaching assignments in the right way or applying the model as intended.
Overall, the coaching content and the skills coaches themselves were strong, but a more supported practical structure—through guided breakout groups and more opportunities for live discussion—would significantly enhance the learning experience.”
“I recently completed my program with KnowledgeBrief and couldn't be happier with the experiance. The curriculum was insightful, but the standout factor was my tutor, Tom. His expertise and guidance were instrumental in helping me navigate the course material effectively. Thanks to the support of Tom, my assessors and the resources provided, I was able to achieve a distinction. Highly recommended for anyone looking to level up their professional skills!”
“The overall experience has been a real positive one. The regular interaction with my skills coach Jane and her support has been brillaint. When i got really stuck and reached out to her she always helped me understand and refocus. The mixture of the online learning and workshops is also worked well as i could fit it around the day job. Thank you Knowledge Brief :-)”
