Michael D’Ambra’s Apprenticeship Journey: A Career in Urban Regeneration
Michael D’Ambra, Transformation Officer at Westminster City Council, left school and began his career in local government with Manchester City Council, at which he worked for over seven years. In 2021, Michael completed a Level 4 Policy Officer Apprenticeship, which opened new doors for him and led to his current role.
Now part of Westminster’s Regeneration, Economy, and Planning Directorate, Michael works in the Transformation and Engagement Team, areas he became passionate about during his time in Manchester. Reflecting on his career journey, Michael said, “The apprenticeship was a perfect opportunity for me to upskill in areas I needed to take the next step in my career.”
Breaking free from a ‘career cul-de-sac’
Before starting the apprenticeship, Michael felt stuck. He worked in a business support management role within the City Centre Growth and Regeneration team in Manchester, but lacked the experience to transition into more senior policy or project management roles. “I was in a bit of a career cul-de-sac. I wasn’t picking up the experience needed to demonstrate I was capable of taking on a more complex role,” he explains. Without a university degree, Michael found it difficult to bridge the gap between his existing skills and the demands of policy positions.
When he discovered the Level 4 Policy Officer Apprenticeship, Michael recognised an ideal solution. “I looked at the modules and it seemed like a perfect opportunity to upskill in the areas I needed,” he recalls. The apprenticeship offered structured learning, combining both practical experience and theoretical knowledge, making it an accessible and comprehensive path for career development.
The value of practical learning
The Policy Officer Apprenticeship provided a structured environment in which Michael could immediately apply new skills to his work. “You can spend a day in a training course, and the next day, you’re back in the workplace applying what you’ve learned,” Michael explains. The combination of theory and practical application gave him the confidence to take on more complex challenges in his role. Michael’s projects included:
Moreover, the apprenticeship introduced Michael to a valuable support network of learners and industry professionals. “I had regular catch-ups with my tutor and we had sessions with external speakers, like a former parliamentary assistant and a public affairs expert from Vodafone. These industry insights really brought the learning to life,” Michael shares. Despite the challenges of starting the course at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the apprenticeship enabled him to continue learning and stay engaged in his work.
A new role and renewed career prospects
After completing his apprenticeship, Michael successfully moved into a Policy Officer role at Manchester City Council. “The skills I learned put me in a really good place to apply for that job,” he says. His new responsibilities enabled him to put learning into practice, and his career momentum continued when he moved south, to Westminster City Council in February 2024.
In his current position as a Transformation Officer, Michael continues to apply the skills he gained during his apprenticeship. “Sometimes I still refer back to my apprenticeship portfolio for ideas,” he admits. The apprenticeship not only supported his transition to a higher-level role, but also fostered a deeper commitment to lifelong learning. Michael is already considering a Level 6 or Level 7 apprenticeship to further his development. “It’s encouraged me to always keep learning,” he says.
Michael’s top tips for employers and apprentices
Michael’s experience underscores the value of apprenticeships for both employers and learners. For employers, it’s a tool for improving staff engagement and retention. “If you’ve got staff who are looking for the next move, an apprenticeship keeps them engaged and gives them new skills to bring back to work,” he says.
For aspiring apprentices, Michael offers practical advice: “Do your research. There are lots of apprenticeships out there, so make sure you choose something you’re interested in because it’s a big time commitment.” He also encourages apprentices to seek support from tutors and peers. “Ask for help, whether it’s from the course tutor or past apprentices. We’ve been through it, and we know the challenges you might face.”
Michael D’Ambra’s apprenticeship journey shows how upskilling through an apprenticeship can be a transformative experience. By combining structured learning with practical experience, Michael not only achieved his career goals but also laid the foundation for ongoing professional growth. Now, as a Transformation Officer at Westminster City Council, he is currently working on a programme for Westminster’s Town Planning service. This aims to help the service deliver a range of improvements, including through large-scale digital transformation, and to meet new central government ambitions for the planning sector.