Navigating a degree apprenticeship is a unique challenge. You're not just a student; you're a professional managing a dual identity - balancing the demands of your career with the academic requirements of your degree.

Because your journey looks different from a 'traditional' path, you need representation that understands the specific pressures of work-based learning. That's where your Apprenticeship Lead Rep comes in...

Your Apprenticeship Lead Rep (2026/27)

Tom Grey
apprenticecourserep@shu.ac.uk / c4036668@hallam.shu.ac.uk

How your Apprenticeship Lead Rep supports you

The Lead Apprenticeship rep acts as a point of contact on more general matters concerning how apprentices experience university. They can then share this with the individuals making and influencing policy decisions so that the effect on apprentices is understood. Where changes are being implemented that affect apprentices, the lead rep can work to make sure those changes are effectively communicated.

Course Rep listening events are a brilliant way of giving feedback that can then be voiced at the Apprenticeship Quality Meetings, and can also influence future agendas at these and other apprenticeship meetings.

Where Course Reps cannot attend these meetings or feel they require a more immediate or personal response, the course rep email inbox has been set up, which is at the top of this page.

Support

It’s fair to say the Lead Rep won’t have all the answers! However, they will be able to guide and support Course Reps to receiving the help that they need, or to where their voice can have the most impact. It might be the support you require is something that other courses are experiencing too, and it’s the job of the Lead Rep to see this pattern and highlight it to the right people at Sheffield Hallam. 

A message from Tom

“Though us apprentices are all learning very different, specialist skills – we do often share common experiences. I remember when I first started my apprenticeship with Network Rail feeling thoroughly overwhelmed by the amount of information I needed to take in. Having to learn the intricacies of a new workplace with new complex academic content at the same time felt like asking a sponge to soak up a swimming pool. It has, and will continue to be, the support networks I have available to me at university, that has allowed me to progress confidently in my studies, and have an enjoyable university experience. I hope this understanding, that the right university support can help us to achieve academic success, and my own experience of being an apprentice makes me a suitable advocate.

Fighting for the issues is something I have always been passionate about, because I believe in the inherent value of people. Perhaps you could call me an idealist, or an irritating optimist! I prefer to think I try to do the best I can and by doing so I hope to encourage others to do the same. I am happy to help in anyway I can, and so even if you’re not a course rep you are always very welcome to email my student account to suggest an idea or ask for help or advice.”

Get in touch

Your feedback is the most powerful tool for improving the apprentice experience. If you have an issue that can't be resolved through normal channels, or an idea to make the programme better, your Apprenticeship Lead Rep is your direct line.

Ready to connect?

Drop Tom a message to start the conversation.

apprenticecourserep@shu.ac.uk / c4036668@hallam.shu.ac.uk