Sam Hutchings

Workplace Learning Achievement

After struggling to find his place in traditional education and facing a prolonged period of unemployment while caring for his terminally ill mother, Sam joined the Path 2 Apprenticeships (P2A) programme in August 2024. Initially skeptical, he soon discovered a learning environment that celebrated his strengths and gave him the tools to succeed. 

Through P2A, Sam developed essential skills in communication, professionalism, and problem-solving. He completed the programme in October 2024 and secured a Level 4 Business Development apprenticeship in January 2025—ironically, working on the very programme that helped him rebuild his life. 

“I thought I was too old for a career… but now I’m stable. I can think about the future. I can have ideas about where I want my career to take me, or start my own business, without thinking it’s a pipe dream—and it’s thanks to P2A.” 

Today, Sam supports new P2A participants, helping them identify their strengths and pursue meaningful careers. His lived experience allows him to connect deeply with learners who, like him, once felt overlooked. 

Why Supporting Young People into Employment Matters 

Sam’s journey highlights the transformative impact of accessible, tailored employment pathways. Programmes like P2A—co-designed with employers and supported by the WMCA apprenticeship levy transfer fund—offer more than just training. They provide: 

• Equity of access through free participation and wraparound support (transport, childcare, digital access) 

• Real-world relevance by aligning training with employer needs 
• Guaranteed opportunities with interviews for apprenticeships paying the National Living Wage 

When young people are given the chance to learn in ways that suit them, and are supported holistically, the results are powerful: confidence grows, careers begin, and communities thrive.