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Degree Apprentice Natalie O’Callaghan took the lead on a major website redevelopment project for her employer – and was nominated for an award for her efforts.
It’s just one example of the way the Digital Technology Solutions apprentice is making an instant impact in the workplace, as she combines hands-on experience with academic study.
The 20-year-old, from Burnley, began her apprenticeship after completing a BTEC in Computing at Burnley College, where she found strong support from the tutors, who now teach her degree programme.
Opting for an apprenticeship over a traditional university route, Natalie was drawn to the opportunity for real-world learning, financial independence, and a clear career path. Now in the second year of her three-year degree, Natalie is making a real impact in her role and growing her confidence and career prospects along the way.
As well as studying at Burnley College, she’s working there too.
“I wanted to get straight into the industry,” she says. “The apprenticeship lets me apply what I learn straight away, which really helps it stick.”
Natalie’s work in the college’s marketing team centres around web development. She works mainly on WordPress, developing landing pages, updating plugins, and enhancing user journeys to ensure the website serves students, staff and stakeholders effectively.
The degree includes modules in mobile app development, networking and programming, game creation and work-based learning.
She enjoys the integration of theory and practice, using the latest tools and technologies in both the classroom and the workplace.
Recently, she’s worked on A/B testing for the college’s website, aligning her academic studies with real in work application. “It’s not just about ticking boxes,” she says. “The work I do genuinely makes a difference.”
Her work-based learning units also cover soft skills such as teamwork, communication, and leadership, all of which have been vital in recent months.
Her standout achievement came when she was nominated for the Lancashire Apprenticeship Awards. The nomination recognised her leadership in a major website redevelopment project for the college.
After a team member left, Natalie took on responsibility for the project, managing it solo for several months. The newly redesigned site launched successfully in September.
“Taking on such a big task was daunting at first, but I learned so much – not just technically, but in terms of managing time, solving problems, and leading a project,” Natalie says. “Knowing my bosses had confidence in me to do it, really boosted my own confidence.”
Natalie’s future ambitions include becoming a team leader and developing her skills as a full stack developer, moving beyond her current front-end focus to understand and build every layer of a digital product.
Burnley College’s cutting-edge facilities, including a new security operations centre, ensure Natalie is learning with the latest equipment and resources. She values the close-knit support of her tutors and the real-world relevance of her apprenticeship.
