From Apprentice to Recruitment Supervisor: Mackauly’s Journey with HBTC
At HBTC, we take pride in seeing our apprentices grow, achieve, and go on to make a real impact in their chosen careers. One inspiring example of this is Mackauly, who first joined HBTC as an apprentice in 2014.
Starting by completing his Business Administration NVQ Level 2 and Customer Service NVQ Level 3, before progressing onto his Team Leader/Supervisor Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard, Mackauly’s dedication and drive have seen him go from learner to leader, and he is now proudly our Recruitment Supervisor.
Starting the Journey
When Mackauly first came across the apprenticeship opportunity through the Find an Apprenticeship service, he was intrigued by the varied duties the role offered. “I saw the apprenticeship had varied duties which keeps you interested, and equally had challenges, so it kept you on your toes,” he recalls.
At the time, apprenticeships were still something new to him. “I hadn’t heard about apprenticeships much in 2014,” he explains. “All I knew of apprenticeships was for hands-on-based roles like bricklaying and joinery, so I didn’t know what to expect from an office-based apprenticeship.”
Despite the uncertainty, he threw himself into the challenge. Those first few weeks were a mix of learning and adapting, “like being the new student in high school,” he says, but the apprenticeship helped lay the foundations for the confidence and professionalism he’s known for today.
Growing skills and confidence
Throughout his apprenticeship, Mackauly developed a broad set of skills that continue to serve him in his current role. Negotiation, problem-solving, complaint handling, customer service, time management, and organisation have all become part of his professional toolkit.
He also experienced significant personal growth. “I lacked confidence a lot in 2014,” he admits, “but ask my colleagues now, I can’t stop talking!” (Don’t we know!) Professionally, he’s taken on responsibilities such as handling objections, marketing the apprenticeship scheme, and consistently meeting company targets.
Standing out and Moving up
One of Mackauly’s key achievements during his apprenticeship was introducing a careers events management tool to help HBTC stay organised and maintain strong connections with career advisors across local schools.
Since then, he’s continued to excel, earning a Distinction in his Team Leader/Supervisor Level 3 Apprenticeship and stepping into his current role as Recruitment Supervisor. In this position, Mackauly connects candidates with apprenticeship opportunities, carries out health and safety assessments, manages funding and compliance paperwork, and supports business development by helping employers find the right apprentice for their team.
Learning to Lead
The apprenticeship didn’t just help Mackauly find a job; it shaped his entire career direction. “The apprenticeship helped me realise exactly what I wanted to do,” he says. “I always wanted to be an important part of a company and have the responsibility to lead a team to achieve targets.”
Now, with his sights set on continuing to grow into a management role, Mackauly is committed to applying everything he’s learned and being a role model for new apprentices starting their own journey.
His advice to anyone considering an apprenticeship? “Go for it, but research it first!” He encourages others to understand that an apprenticeship isn’t just a job with one day at college, it’s a full learning experience that builds real skills, knowledge, and confidence for the future.
And his motto for success?
“Apply yourself every day, and once you’ve reached the top, reach for the top again!” (very inspirational).
We’re incredibly proud of Mackauly’s journey. From apprentice to recruitment supervisor, his dedication, growth, and passion for supporting others perfectly reflect what HBTC is all about.
If you’d like to start your own success story with the support of a dedicated team like HBTC, take a look at our current apprenticeship vacancies today!
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Emily Simpson
Emily is our Digital Marketing/Learner Engagement Apprentice and is involved with all things social media and content development. She is also responsible for attending career events and maintaining relationships with local schools and colleges.