5 Minutes With… Iain Cole
From Apprentice to Client Director: Why Opportunity Matters
Many of the senior leaders we work with have taken different routes into their careers.
For Iain Cole, Client Director at Instep, that journey began with a Business Administration apprenticeship at the age of 16. Today, he works with organisations across the UK to help them develop talent, build capability and address workforce challenges.
His story comes at a particularly important time. The latest figures show an estimated 1.012 million young people aged 16 to 24 are not in education, employment or training (NEET), representing 13.5% of all young people in the UK. It is the first time the seasonally adjusted estimate has exceeded one million in more than a decade.
As part of our new 5 Minutes With… series, we sat down with Iain to discuss his career journey, the impact of apprenticeships, and why he believes employers should continue investing in future talent.
Tell us about your role today and the journey that brought you here.
“I’m Iain Cole. I’m Client Director here at Instep.
I actually started as an apprentice at 16 and have been in full-time employment ever since.”
For many people, the title of Client Director may seem a long way from an apprenticeship programme. Yet, for Iain, the two are directly connected.
His career didn’t begin with a graduate scheme or traditional university route. Instead, it began with an apprenticeship and a willingness to learn, gain experience and make the most of opportunities as they arose.
What apprenticeship did you complete and why did you choose that route?
“I started as a Business Administration apprentice on a Level 2 programme straight after leaving school at 16.
I worked at my local college, rotating around different departments during my first year.
I did okay at school, but I think everybody recognised that staying in full-time academic study probably wasn’t the right route for me.
My dad had been an apprentice engineer himself, so he understood the route.”
For Iain, the appeal of an apprenticeship was simple. It provided an opportunity to enter the workplace, earn a salary and gain practical experience while continuing to learn.
Looking back, that first opportunity would become the foundation for everything that followed.
Looking back, what are the biggest skills you gained from your apprenticeship?
“Communication skills were probably the biggest.
Being surrounded by adults meant I had to communicate with people outside my family, friends and peers.
Work ethic was really important too.
Getting up, getting on the bus every morning, turning up and being responsible.
The rewards were pretty instantaneous really.”
It’s easy to think about apprenticeships purely in terms of qualifications, but Iain believes some of the most important lessons were behavioural rather than technical.
Professional communication. Reliability. Accountability. Building relationships with people from different backgrounds and levels of seniority.
These are skills that continue to serve him today and, importantly, are qualities employers consistently value in employees at every level of an organisation.
How did your apprenticeship influence your career progression?
“I think it’s been a massive influence. Everything started with that.
I progressed through Business Administration Level 2, then Level 3, then completed my HNC in Business and eventually a BA Honours degree.
By the time I graduated at 24, I was as qualified as my peers, I’d been getting paid for seven years and I was already in secure employment.”
This reflects one of the most powerful advantages of the apprenticeship route.
Rather than choosing between work and learning, apprentices can develop both simultaneously.
For Iain, that meant continuing his professional development while building years of practical experience in the workplace.
By the time he completed his degree, he had already spent seven years applying his knowledge in real-world environments, developing relationships, solving problems and building the confidence that comes from experience.
Were there any people who helped shape your journey?
“I was really fortunate to have good managers and mentors throughout my apprenticeship and early career.
I still stay in touch with some of them today.
You’ve got to spot the opportunity when it presents itself.”
Few successful careers are built alone.
Behind many career journeys are managers who provide guidance, colleagues who share knowledge and mentors who help people recognise opportunities they may otherwise overlook.
Iain is quick to acknowledge the role those individuals played in his own development and the impact they had on his progression.
Their influence remains with him today.
What would you say to people who think apprenticeships limit future opportunities?
“They’re an alternative route, but absolutely they’re equal to any other route.
You can go all the way from a Level 2 apprenticeship through to degree-level qualifications.
You can earn money and gain real work experience at the same time.”
Apprenticeships have evolved significantly over the years, yet misconceptions still exist.
Stories like Iain’s challenge those assumptions.
His journey demonstrates that apprenticeships can provide access to ongoing education, professional development and long-term career progression, while offering the opportunity to build practical experience from day one.
Why should employers invest in apprenticeships?
“Apprentices are the best way to bring fresh talent into your business.
Young people bring fresh ideas and different perspectives.
They’re the future workforce.”
This perspective is particularly relevant against the backdrop of today’s labour market challenges.
The latest analysis from the Youth Futures Foundation highlights that the UK’s NEET population has risen above one million young people, driven by increases in both unemployment and economic inactivity.
At the same time, employers across many sectors continue to report difficulties attracting and retaining talent.
Iain’s message is clear: organisations that invest in young people are not just creating opportunities for individuals. They are building their future workforce.
Through apprenticeships and other early careers pathways, employers have an opportunity to identify potential, develop capability and strengthen their long-term talent pipeline.
What advice would you give to someone starting an apprenticeship today?
“Be curious.
Ask questions.
People are always willing to share their knowledge and expertise.
Take the opportunity to learn from people who’ve been there and done it.”
Simple advice, but advice that has stood the test of time.
The most valuable learning opportunities are not always found in textbooks or classrooms. Often, they come from conversations, observations and the willingness to learn from those around us.
For anyone beginning their career journey, curiosity remains one of the most powerful skills they can develop.
Looking back, what role did your apprenticeship play in helping you get to where you are today?
“Everything in my working life started with my apprenticeship.
I’m a massive advocate for apprenticeships.”
As the UK continues to grapple with rising NEET figures, skills shortages and talent pipeline challenges, Iain’s story serves as a reminder of the life-changing impact that a single opportunity can have. The latest data shows around one in seven young people are currently not in education, employment or training.
From a Business Administration apprentice at 16 to Client Director at Instep, his journey demonstrates the value of investing in potential, developing talent and creating pathways for growth.
Talent can come from anywhere.
Sometimes it simply needs the opportunity to flourish.
Looking to Strengthen Your NEET Strategy?
With more than one million young people currently not in education, employment or training across the UK, employers have a unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference while simultaneously strengthening their future workforce.
If you’d like to discuss your organisation’s NEET strategy, explore opportunities to engage young people more effectively, or understand how apprenticeships and early careers programmes can support your wider workforce development goals, we’d love to hear from you.
If you’d like to chat with Iain Cole about your organisation’s NEET strategy, and where Instep may be able to support you, please get in touch today.
