Johnathon Leonard: apprentice to leader
Apprenticeship: Level 3 Team Leader
About Johnathon
"I have always been really keen on progression in my work life. I was looking to improve my delegation skills and people management."
After attending college for a year, Johnathon Leonard joined the team at Poundland, working his way up to a managerial position. Having a naturally ambitious nature, Johnathon soon transferred to the Property Department, working as a Remodel and Merchandising Coordinator. His responsibilities include running different projects on-site, such as store openings and refits.
Johnathon wanted to progress in the workplace and improve his managerial style. As a result, he jumped at the opportunity of undertaking an apprenticeship with Impact Futures, while continuing in paid employment at Poundland.
Johnathon enrolled in the level 3 Team Leader apprenticeship with Impact Futures. The programme develops managerial skills across different areas, including modules on relationship development, results delivery, self-management, and employee management.
Learners can progress further on completion of the programme, becoming an associate or member of the Institute of Leadership and Management, or Chartered Management Institute.
Our impact
Johnathon is already reaping the benefits of his apprenticeship. He has been applying his new skills to his work, and as a direct result, he has been given more responsibility from his line manager.
A self-awareness module Johnathon recently completed as part of the programme has already began to help him manage his employees better, and Johnathon recognises that his communications are increasingly professional.
An essential component to being a successful manager is time management skills. With a demanding work schedule involving frequent travel, learning how to balance his day-to-day work commitments at Poundland alongside his apprenticeship has increased his time management skills.
These time management skills will also help him manage a healthy work-life balance. Johnathon commented:
“Since starting my apprenticeship, my standards of management have improved tenfold. I am a much more confident person, not only with employees but also with upper management within the company.”
Johnathon credits the support of his manager, Paul, and Marlene his assessor, for providing guidance and support when needed throughout the apprenticeship; Marlene was always quick to respond and ready to give advice. Johnathon thinks that the Impact Futures apprenticeship is giving him “the skills needed to progress within the company.”
The apprenticeship with Impact Futures has fostered excellent managerial skills and has developed Johnathon’s workplace confidence to an unprecedented level. Johnathon commented that he “honestly cannot speak highly enough about Impact Futures.”
The future
Following management skills development and confident growth over the course of the programme, Johnathon has his sights set on becoming the manager of his department over the next five years.
Johnathon is due to complete his apprenticeship within the next year. He is looking forward to utilising the skills he has learnt during the Impact Futures apprenticeship to help him progress to Poundland’s upper management levels.
"Go for it! If you take what you are learning and apply it to yourwork, you will only improve as a manager.
I am the most confident I have ever felt in my work thanks to the apprenticeship."
Got any questions?
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As a national training provider, we make this impact throughout the UK, with expertise in childcare, healthcare, clinical and business skills apprenticeships.
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Both the Impact Futures and The Childcare Company brands are used interchangeably for both Impact Futures Training Limited and The Child Care Company (Old Windsor) Limited.