Two young Londoners, one powerful programme: meet Gabi and Aminat

When Gabi and Aminat joined Coach Core as Business Administrator apprentices, neither of them knew quite where the experience would take them. Sixteen months later, both have completed their Level 3 qualification, grown professionally and personally, and moved on to the next chapter of their careers, with a clearer sense of who they are and what they want to achieve. 

Gabi: finding her voice, one opportunity at a time 

Gabi’s placement in the day-to-day running of Coach Core’s programmes. From supporting the coordination of sessions to becoming a trusted point of contact for apprentices across the programme, she brought consistency, empathy and a natural ability to connect with young people. 

One moment stood out in particular. When an apprentice was experiencing difficulties with their line manager, Gabi stepped in as a relatable, trusted presence. Her involvement helped open up honest conversations and contributed directly to a positive resolution – something her mentor Phil West noted as a real marker of her growth. 

“I didn’t realise I’d made that much of an impact… even just talking to apprentices made a difference.” 

The biggest journey for Gabi, though, was in her own confidence. From the outset she recognised that it was this, not her capability, that was holding her back. “It’s not my ability, it’s more my confidence… sometimes that stops me from doing things.” Through public speaking, events and direct apprentice engagement, she built the self-belief to match the skills she had always had. 

Gabi now plans to study physiotherapy at University, carrying with her an understanding of what it means to support others and a clearer belief in herself. 

Aminat: from uncertainty to direction 

Aminat joined the programme a few months in and quickly made her presence felt. Confident in her interpersonal skills and drawn to marketing and communications, she found a natural home in Coach Core’s fundraising team. Before long, she was the main point of contact for runners taking part in the London Marathon, supporting them through their fundraising journeys and shaping the communications that kept them engaged. 

Her line manager Maggie Allen watched her communications style and instinct for supporter communications develop. But Aminat’s development went beyond technical skills. The placement gave her something more fundamental in direction around what she wants to do next. 

“I didn’t really know what direction I wanted to go in… but the experience helped shape what I wanted my journey to look like.” 

That clarity has already translated into action. Aminat has secured a full-time role which is a direct step forward from her experience at Coach Core, and a testament to what hands-on learning can unlock. 

The support that made it possible 

Neither journey was without challenge. Structured, consistent support from line managers and learning coaches was central to both apprentices’ progress and the support evolved in response to what Gabi and Aminat needed. 

Regular 1:1s, clear weekly actions, written and verbal reminders, and early expectation-setting around timekeeping and accountability all played a part. Learning coaches at Lifetime Training provided consistent academic support throughout, even through a change of tutor midway through the programme, and both apprentices felt well held by both Coach Core and Lifetime. 

As Gabi reflected: “Having weekly one-to-one time where things were explained in a way I understood made a big difference.” For Aminat, it was the practical, nature of the work that made things click: “It made more sense seeing it instead of just being told… actually being there helped put it into perspective.” 

What we’re taking forward 

Both Gabi and Aminat brought something that no job description can capture: youth voice. Their presence shaped how Coach Core thinks about engaging young people deepened our understanding of what meaningful inclusion looks like in practice.  

Gabi and Aminat’s honest reflections have informed how we approach apprenticeship selection and onboarding going forward. Stronger work-readiness support, clearer expectation-setting from day one, and more deliberate matching of qualification to role are all changes we’re committed to making. 

Because ultimately, that’s what a good apprenticeship should do – not just develop the apprentice, but make the organisation better too.  

We’re now welcoming two new apprentices and an intern to the Coach Core team and we can’t wait to see what this next group of young people bring to the table.