ROUTES TO SUCCESS: HNC STUDENT SECURES GXO DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP
23.06.2025HNC is delighted to reveal that Year 13 HNC Applied Business student, Rayyaan, has recently secured a space on GXO’s degree apprenticeship programme following a competitive and rigorous selection process.
In Applied Business, students explore a wide range of topics to gain a deep understanding of the business world. Alongside developing their academic understanding of the subject, students studying for a qualification in Applied Business also develop work-based skills through activities that develop teamwork, leadership and communication skills based around the College’s ‘OPTICS’ framework (organisation, problem-solving, teamwork, initiative, communication, self-development) . In our latest story, we talk to Rayyaan about his HNC experience, and how the OPTICS skills developed at HNC helped him to stand out from the crowd and secure his dream degree-level apprenticeship.
Where will you be progressing to after HNC?
From September, I have secured a degree level apprenticeship at GXO, a world leading supply chain management organisation providing logistics solutions globally for some of the world’s biggest companies. As well as learning on the job, I will also be attending Sheffield Hallam University where I will gain a degree in Supply Chain Leadership.
Why did you decide to pursue a degree level apprenticeship?
I decided to go down the apprenticeship pathway because it allows me to obtain significant skills and experience in an environment that I am well suited to. Learning in the workplace and developing practical skills during my apprenticeship will help me excel further in my career.
How did you use your HNC experience to secure your next steps?
Applying for an apprenticeship is a challenging process and you’re up against some other really brilliant candidates. For me, OPTICS skills have helped me massively as a support tool during my application/interview process as it gave me a framework to share more about my past experiences in my studies and part time role. The OPTICS skills I have developed while at HNC have helped me to maximise the knowledge I have learnt in the classroom and apply it in my interview and this helped me to stand out from the crowd.
What advice would you give for students in Y12 hoping to progress to an apprenticeship?
The advice I would give to students hoping to progress to an apprenticeship is to research different businesses to find a good fit for your interests and future career goals. You should thoroughly research a business’ work culture, values, and mission statements to give you the best possible opportunity to demonstrate how you can adapt to the business and effectively deliver why your qualities would make you suitable for the apprenticeship. I would also recommend engaging with all the opportunities available to you at HNC as this will really support you through the application and interview stages!
James Tindall, Faculty Lead Enlighten (Business and IT), shares more: “More and more students at HNC are choosing to pursue degree level apprenticeships after they complete their studies at HNC. Students who are successful in gaining a place on a degree-level apprenticeship programme gain work-based skills alongside their academic degree, making it an incredibly popular route post-18 – this however means that there are often hundreds of candidates for each position. Here at HNC we work with our students to develop their work-based skills alongside developing their academic knowledge to prepare them fully for their next steps, whatever those next steps may be. Rayyaan is a prime example of how making the most of the opportunities and experiences on offer at HNC truly does lead students to becoming their best selves – and this has helped Rayyaan to stand out from the crowd and secure his dream apprenticeship”.
If you’re in Year 10, you can get a head start on your post-16 plans and find out more about the HNC blueprint – and how at HNC you too can become your best self. Join us on Thursday 10 July to find out more: https://www.huddnewcoll.ac.uk/join-us/open-events/
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