Annabelle is currently working towards an Accounting and Taxation Professional Level 7 Apprenticeship. Annabelle is hosted by Xylem Water Solutions Ltd in Colwick, Nottingham.
Annabelle’s training is delivered by First Intuition.
We met with Annabelle to find out how it’s been going.
Tell us a little about yourself and why you decided to pursue an apprenticeship?
“I knew that university wasn’t the right path for me, but I was keen to continue my education. An apprenticeship offered the perfect balance, allowing me to keep learning while gaining valuable, real‑world experience in the industry.”
What attracted you to this role and industry?
“I have always enjoyed working with numbers, which led me to complete A‑levels in Mathematics, Chemistry, and Biology. My interest in accounting and finance developed further when I began working as a receptionist at my local leisure centre. Exposure to the financial and administrative aspects of the role encouraged me to learn more about the field and ultimately pursue a career in accounting.”
How did you hear about this apprenticeship opportunity?
“I found the vacancy on the UK governments apprenticeship website.”
What support did you receive from SWAC when applying for this role?
“Before my interview with my host organisation (Xylem) I had an interview with Clare where she interviewed me, then shared interview tips and advice following my answers which really helped. Then, as part of the interview process, I had to create a presentation and present it to my interviewers at Xylem. SWAC provided a great briefing including tips for success.”
Did SWAC help you prepare for the apprenticeship? If so, how?
“One thing that stood out to me was having Shola as a mentor at SWAC. I really appreciated the check ins within my first week and the quarterly catch ups that we currently have. Its great knowing you can reach out confidently with any concerns and it shows that SWAC genuinely cares about guiding their apprentices.”
What is a typical day like in your role with the host employer?
“My apprenticeship involves a rotational programme in which my first rotation is in FP&A. My days can vary quite a lot, but some key achievements include attending a global meeting and seeing the products being made in Sweden. During this visit, I got to meet so many different members of Xylem from America to Australia! Talking to such enthusiastic, knowledgeable team members and hearing all about their career paths and the advice they had to offer was such an unforgettable experience that I was so privileged to have been a part of. I have also taken leadership of my first project which involved reaching out to many different teams to remap headcounts within an entity and present these changes to management. From this, I learnt so many new skills both technical and professional.”
How has the host employer supported your learning and development?
“Xylem have been incredible at supporting my learning and development. The program provides great balance to develop in all professional areas with a key focus being on a 50/30/20 split. This split allows us to build trust through delivery (50% of our time is around learning the job, meeting deadlines and understanding business expectations), grow influence internally (30% prioritises building confidence through networking, building on soft skills, and presenting ideas) and achieve professional credibility through accounting qualifications (20% of our time is focused on our studies to become chartered accountants). It was suggested to us to organise meet and greets with senior leaders within different areas of the business. Everyone has been so incredible, and these really helped me to build confidence. My learning is supported by my line manager who is extremely knowledgeable and helpful which has had a huge impact on me. She has guided me through all my tasks and helped me set up learning sessions to thrive within my role which I really appreciate.”
What new skills or knowledge have you gained since starting your apprenticeship?
“I took ownership of my first project which allowed me to co-ordinate with different teams and bring together my findings. Leading this project gave me the chance to develop a wide range of skills. On the technical side, I built my own reports, calculated costs and their associated impacts, and gained a deeper understanding of the structure of the business. At the same time, I strengthened my soft skills -especially communication- by presenting my findings to management and learning how to explain complex information clearly and confidently.”
How has SWAC supported you during your apprenticeship?
“SWAC have supported my learning by providing a dedicated mentor and holding quarterly catch‑ups to review progress. They are always approachable and encourage me to ask questions, making sure I’m aware of all the support available.”
Were there any aspects of the apprenticeship where SWAC’s involvement made a significant difference?
“One aspect that made a difference was having a mentor at SWAC. I truly appreciated the regular check‑ins during my first week, which helped me feel supported and settled.”
How has the apprenticeship helped you grow personally and professionally?
“My apprenticeship has helped me grow both personally and professionally by allowing me to develop key skills while gaining practical experience in a professional environment. Professionally, I have built a strong foundation of knowledge and practical skills within the industry. I have learned new processes, systems and my excel skills are developing more each day. I have enjoyed being challenged by tasks which have really led me to improve in so many ways including confidence, problem‑solving, and my understanding of how a professional organisation operates.
On a personal level, the apprenticeship has helped me develop important transferable skills such as communication, time management, and organisation. Balancing work responsibilities alongside studying has encouraged me to be more disciplined and proactive, while interacting with different team members has strengthened my confidence and professionalism. Overall, the apprenticeship has supported my personal development while preparing me for long‑term career progression.”
Can you share a key achievement or moment you’re particularly proud of?
“I took ownership of my first project which allowed me to co-ordinate with different teams and bring together my findings. Leading this project gave me the chance to develop a wide range of skills. On the technical side, I built my own reports, calculated costs and their associated impacts, and gained a deeper understanding of the structure of the business. At the same time, I strengthened my soft skills -especially communication- by presenting my findings to management and learning how to explain complex information clearly and confidently.”
What are your career aspirations after completing this apprenticeship?
“In 3 years, I will have completed 3 rotations (FP&A, R2R and tax) and, I will be a chartered management accountant. As I’m currently really enjoying my first rotation, I think I’d like to go into FP&A role after my apprenticeship is completed. FP&A is a finance function focused on supporting business decision‑making through budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis. It often involves analysing financial data, monitoring performance against budgets, and providing insights to help organisations plan effectively and improve profitability. Career wise, I’d like to continue learning and developing to climb the corporate ladder.”
Would you recommend an apprenticeship to others? Why?
“I would recommend, you get hands on experience and the qualifications that you want while getting paid.”
Would you recommend SWAC to others? If so, why?
“I would recommend an apprenticeship to others! It offers the opportunity to combine practical work experience with structured learning. Being able to apply what you learn while studying really helps to deepen understanding and build confidence. Apprenticeships also allow you to earn while you learn, which makes continuing education more accessible.”
What advice would you give to someone considering an apprenticeship?
“An apprenticeship can be an incredible opportunity to gain valuable experience, develop many skills, and a study towards a qualification. I would advise anyone considering an apprenticeship to thoroughly research both the programme and the industry to ensure it aligns with their genuine interests. Apprenticeships require a strong level of commitment and effective time‑management skills, as balancing work responsibilities alongside studying can be challenging at times. Staying organised and disciplined is therefore essential and developing good time‑management skills early on can make a significant difference.”
Would you recommend SWAC to others? If so, why?
“Yes, SWAC have been very helpful from the moment I began interviewing for my apprenticeship and have continued to provide ongoing support.”
