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Leading by Example

Corby Campus building

The Executive Director of The Bedford College Group (TBCG) became an “apprentice” to lead by example and encourage learning at all levels.

Debbie Houghton is currently the Executive Director of Apprenticeships, Business Development, and Commercial at the Group. Recently, she completed a Senior Leadership and Management Degree Apprenticeship.

This program is a Level 7 Master’s Degree that led to her obtaining an MBA. Through this course, Debbie was able to develop her skills and knowledge of strategic leadership and management while also gaining practical experience of studying through work as an apprentice.

Debbie Houghton, Executive Director of Apprenticeships and Business Development.

Promoting Apprenticeships

Debbie’s role at the Group involves promoting apprenticeships as an excellent career path and enhancing promotional prospects. She recently participated in a meeting at No. 10 with government officials responsible for educational funding to discuss the future of apprenticeships.

Debbie comments:

Apprenticeships are being re-valued by young people and parents who increasingly see them as a route into robust and long-term employment in skilled and technical roles. At the Group, we are the region’s Number One provider of apprenticeships in Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire across various jobs – many of them in new areas of technology-dominated industries and social roles, but also social roles such as caring and hair and beauty.”

Debbie’s qualification title is ‘Master of Business Administration (Leadership Practice)’, for which Debbie got a Merit overall.

Debbie adds:

“The great bit is that for the degree ‘apprenticeship’ part of this programme, which is the End Point Assessment (EPA), I got awarded a Distinction, which I was delighted with.”