From Trainee to Teacher: Savannah & Ellie's Story

After completing the May 2025 Future Makers traineeship, Savannah and Ellie were invited back in the autumn in a new capacity, this time as paid Workshop Assistants.

Savannah felt "really honoured and proud" to return and guide the next cohort through their own learning journeys. Stepping into an assisting role gave her a fresh perspective on what goes into running the sessions and how to support others, rather than being supported herself.

For Savannah, the experience has had a lasting impact on her career.

"Not having a university degree has sometimes made it harder to feel trusted and heard within the industry. The traineeship has been amazing to include on my CV and has given me real skills that I can refer to in job interviews."

Ellie found the role inspiring, boosting her confidence in the workshop and building her leadership skills.

"I felt trapped before, not knowing how to branch out into the creative sector without a whole lot of experience. The traineeship showed me that there are opportunities, you just have to take that leap, get involved and have fun along the way."

Returning as a Workshop Assistant, Ellie found the experience helped her feel more confident taking initiative, communicating clearly and stepping up when support was needed. She is now focused on fostering the same energy and inclusivity in her career that she experienced as a trainee.

Both stories speak to the value of learning through practical experience and collaboration, beyond traditional degree-based routes.