A Personal Path to Professional Passion
Apprenticeships can shape careers, open unexpected doors, and provide a solid foundation for lifelong success. For James Whybrow, Group Director of Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement at Inspire Education Group (IEG), that journey began over 25 years ago when he started as an apprentice himself.
“Fresh out of college, I stood at a familiar crossroads: follow a conventional path or forge my own,” says James. “While my father’s career in accountancy was a tempting guide, I was drawn to the dynamic worlds of banking and retail.”
Determined to take the right step, James wrote to 35 employers. Ten responded, three interviewed him, and two offered him an apprenticeship. He chose the opportunity with the most support and development potential and never looked back.
Now, leading IEG’s apprenticeship and employer engagement programmes, James remains passionate about ensuring others get the same opportunity.
“I genuinely believe I have the best job in the world. Every year, I get to support around 300 new apprentices, many of whom are stepping into the professional world for the first time.”
James Whybrow
Apprenticeships in Action: Supporting Local Business Growth
IEG’s apprenticeship programmes are designed to meet the needs of modern employers, this stretches from engineering and construction to digital, management and healthcare. With industry-aligned curricula and flexible delivery models, apprenticeships are more than just training, they’re a strategic growth tool for businesses.
“IEG apprenticeships streamline recruitment, improve retention, and inject fresh thinking into businesses,” says James. “And our wraparound support, from mentor networks to assessment centres, help employers develop the next generation of professionals.”
Businesses like Baker Perkins, one of Peterborough’s most established manufacturers, are a shining example of how apprenticeships strengthen industry.
Building Skills, Building Careers: Baker Perkins’ Apprenticeship Legacy
At Baker Perkins, apprenticeships are far more than a pipeline for talent, they’re part of the company’s DNA. For over a century, the firm has nurtured technical talent in-house, building long-term careers and shaping the skills it needs from the ground up.
“Apprentices have always been critical to our business,” says Suzanne Dellar, Director of HR. “Many of our former apprentices now hold senior roles. It’s not just about filling vacancies, it’s about building the future of our workforce.”
The company’s approach is focused, strategic and human. Apprentices receive tailored support from mentors, while Suzanne and the team collaborate with local schools and colleges to inspire the next generation of engineers.
“We look beyond academic achievement,” Suzanne explains. “We want apprentices who are curious, hands-on, and passionate about making things. Often, that spark starts in childhood.”
Suzanne Dellar
From LEGO to Industry: One Apprentice’s Journey
For William Buckey, a current Baker Perkins apprentice, that spark began with LEGO sets and a fascination for how things work.
“I always loved seeing how things were made,” he says. “But I struggled with school and didn’t enjoy exams. An apprenticeship gave me a different way to learn, along with hands-on, practical experience, with a real outcome.”
William is working in mechanical fitting and gaining invaluable experience through his apprenticeship, supported by Baker Perkins and Peterborough College, part of Inspire Education Group.
“Waking up at 5:30am was a shock at first,” he jokes. “But I learn best by doing. I retain more when I’m involved, not just sitting in a classroom.”
And he’s not alone. William is one of many apprentices thriving under Baker Perkins’ supportive approach. His advice to others?
“Just do it. If school isn’t for you, and you want to learn by doing, then apprenticeships are the way forward. You earn, you learn, and you leave with real experience and a great qualification.”
William Buckey
A Regional Skills Solution
Both Inspire Education Group and Baker Perkins are key players in addressing skills gaps in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, a goal shared by the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP).
Through coordinated efforts between business, education and government, the LSIP is shaping a future where more young people like William, and more employers like Baker Perkins, can benefit from the power of work-based learning.
“Apprenticeships are not an expense — they’re an investment,” James Whybrow adds. “They offer businesses a cost-effective, scalable way to build skills, improve loyalty, and drive innovation.”
Could Apprenticeships Work For You?
To find out how apprenticeships can support your business or to engage with the LSIP’s work around employer-led training solutions, contact us: lsip@cambscci.co.uk