Our people stories
Amy's experience as our Apprentice Trainee Procurement Officer
We caught up with Amy Mcveagh, Apprentice Trainee Procurement Officer at SCAPE, to learn more about her apprenticeship experience and discuss the importance of early careers in procurement.
What are you enjoying with your apprenticeship?
Hands‑on procurement work, with a team that treats me as an equal and trusts me with meaningful responsibilities, that is huge for my confidence. Having real opportunities to get involved, ask questions and see the full procurement cycle is motivating. The online learning day is a bonus: it gives space to focus deeply, and then I can apply it on live tasks the rest of the week.
How is SCAPE supporting your learning?
I am given time and support, and I am positively challenged too. That balance really matters. For example, there is funded, formal development in procurement (working towards CIPS qualifications), and I am gaining new skills every week through real procurement tasks. Mentoring is offered as well, so there is always someone to listen and guide when I need it.
On top of that, the apprenticeship structure includes an online college day, which is flexible and lets me learn at my own pace in the right environment, then bring that learning straight back into the job (it is one of the reasons the apprenticeship route works so well for procurement).
What has been some of the challenges with the apprenticeship?
Shifting from a school routine to a work routine is a real adjustment. Keeping motivation and focus balanced between study and work is a skill in itself, but the supportive team and the structure of the apprenticeship help me stay on track.
Would you recommend an apprenticeship?
I would definitely recommend apprenticeships; they are a brilliant paid learning route with more flexible ways to learn and apply new knowledge. For those drawn to procurement, it is a great skills match: you are building real‑world knowledge and skills while earning a recognised qualification (CIPS) and contributing to the team from day one. My friends have already asked about it, and it has been great to share a positive experience.
What advice do you have for anyone exploring an apprenticeship in procurement?
My advice is:
- Don’t arrive thinking you need to know everything. The point is to learn on the job.
- Don’t worry, this is a very supportive environment. Ask questions, seek feedback and take up opportunities as they come.
- Stay curious, seeing end‑to‑end helps everything click.
- Find a business style that works for you so you can juggle tasks, study and working on projects confidently.