Why Our Operations Director is Becoming an Apprentice – Rachel Fort’s Story
At Azesta, we are passionate about lifelong learning - and this time, it’s one of our own stepping into the world of apprenticeships! Rachel Fort, our Operations Director, has officially embarked on her Level 6 Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (CMDA) at the University of Leeds, proving that learning never stops.
Why Now?
Rachel has supported apprentices for years, helping them grow their skills and confidence. Now, she’s experiencing first-hand what it’s like to balance work, study, and personal life. But what drove her to take on this challenge?
"Getting a degree has always been on my ‘must-do’ list. I didn’t follow the traditional university route at 18 because I had an incredible career opportunity. But when the University of Leeds invited me to apply, I knew it was the right time. This is my chance to enhance my experience with a formal qualification, inspire my daughters, and honour my late father, who was a lifelong learner himself."_
What’s in Store?
Over the next four years, Rachel will complete modules in:
✅ Business Environment
✅ Project Management
✅ Strategic Management
✅ Leadership & Change
✅ Innovation & Enterprise
✅ Business Accounting (one of the modules she’s most excited about!)
She will also complete a work-based project and a final dissertation, applying her knowledge directly to real-world challenges.
What This Means for Azesta and the L&D Community:
Rachel’s journey is more than personal - it’s a powerful statement about the value of apprenticeships. As a leader, she’s embracing growth and setting an example that learning is for everyone, at any stage of life.
Her experience will also deepen our understanding of apprenticeships at Azesta, allowing us to better support professionals who want to develop their skills.
Join the Conversation!
We’d love to hear from you:
💬 Have you ever considered going back into education later in life?
💬 How do you balance learning and career growth?
Follow Rachel’s journey with us and get inspired to take your own learning to the next level!
#LifelongLearning #Apprenticeships #LeadershipDevelopment #CMDA #ProfessionalGrowth #LearningAndDevelopment #InspiringWomen #Azesta
