From pot washer to award-winning Trainer Assessor

Katy Herrod joined Leicester College around four years ago, in a part-time role as a pot washer in the Taste Restaurant. She was a qualified hairdresser with a small child and just wanted a “little job to break up the week”.

Katy took her original hairdressing qualification at Leicester College. “Although I had a love for hairdressing, I loved the creativity about hairdressing and hospitality/front of house as well. A friend owned a local catering business, for whom I worked, with afternoon teas being a favourite.”

After starting off as a pot washer, she rose to to student catering assistant in the College’s Zest café, before applying for a Trainer Assessor role. However, Katy needed a Level 3 qualification for this new role so took the ILM Leadership and Management Diploma course at Leicester College, as well as taking her English and Maths as well. This enabled her qualification for the Trainer Assessor position but as an apprentice, she was still able to work in the restaurant.

Studying was a challenge

Katy studied during Covid which ‘changed everything’ as she was self studying. Katy says that it “wasn’t easy, with late nights on top of work, handing in workbooks and case studies”.

She “really felt like giving up” at times but her graduation was “special” with a great “sense of accomplishment and pride”.

Award-winning apprentice

After qualifying from her Level 3 Leadership and Management Diploma course, Katy recently won the ‘Advanced Apprentice of the Year’ award at the Leicester Apprenticeship Hub 2023 awards.

Katy said: “Winning the Advanced Apprentice of the Year award is really the icing on the cake and has made all of the hard work to gain the qualification really worth it.”

Progressing with Leicester College

Katy is currently studying for Cava qualification which is a trainer assessor qualification and wants to progress with Leicester College.

“I have great job satisfaction and love the energy with the students. I really want to progress my career at Leicester College. It’s a lovely place to work, very supportive, with a great team.”