Nicole Gardiner, a Legal Business Support Officer from Norwich City Council, was inspired to start her apprenticeship journey having seen others developing into different sectors and gaining new skills through the apprenticeship route.
Nicole Gardiner, a Legal Business Support Officer from Norwich City Council, was inspired to start her apprenticeship journey having seen others developing into different sectors and gaining new skills through the apprenticeship route. Starting her apprenticeship in April 2025, Nicole initially joined as a Corporate Business Support Apprentice before progressing into a permanent role as a Legal Business Support Officer in April 2026.
When the opportunity arose to take part in the Local Government Apprentice of the Year event, Nicole was motivated by the chance to continue to challenge herself and step outside her comfort zone. Arriving on day one feeling nervous, curious, and excited, Nicole was quickly immersed in a range of activities designed to challenge thinking and encourage collaboration. From the outset, the event required participants to adapt quickly, share ideas openly, and work effectively as a team, bringing together over 70 apprentices from across the country with diverse skills and experiences.
A key highlight for Nicole was the opportunity to think creatively and bring ideas to life. The final task, which focused on presenting the team’s final concept, stood out as a defining moment. It allowed the group to translate their discussions into something tangible and engaging, combining visual communication with innovative thinking.
Creativity was not only a highlight but a central theme throughout Nicole’s experience. She embraced the event’s focus on innovation, approaching challenges with a mindset geared towards problem-solving and fresh thinking. Drawing on her own experiences during her apprenticeship, she actively contributed ideas and helped shape discussions, while also learning from the perspectives of others.
I loved having the opportunity to be creative and we had the chance to bring our ideas to life. This was a chance for our team to visually display what we had worked on all day.
Working within her team played a crucial role in this process. While the early stages required the group to navigate different communication styles and ideas, these challenges ultimately strengthened collaboration. By taking the time to listen, adapt, and build on each other’s strengths, the team developed a strong dynamic that enabled them to work efficiently and creatively together. Day two brought anticipation as Nicole looked forward to reconnecting with her team and hearing the outcomes. When it was announced that Nicole’s group had been chosen as the winning team, the moment came as a genuine surprise. For Nicole, the recognition was a testament not only to the final output but to the creativity, collaboration, and effort that had gone into every stage of the process.
Nicole describes the moment:
I was shocked, and really proud that all the work the team put in paid off. We all put a lot of work into the documents we created so getting recognition for that was really great
Reflecting on the overall experience, Nicole identified creativity and teamwork as the most rewarding aspects. The ability to share ideas openly, think differently, and collaborate with others allowed the team to produce innovative solutions that stood out. Looking ahead, Nicole is focused on completing her apprenticeship and continuing to grow within her role. The experience of being part of a winning team will hopefully reinforce her confidence and give her a strong foundation to build on as she progresses in her career.