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Case Study

Victoria Lynne McKnight: How an Apprenticeship Led to a Career with Citi

Victoria Lynne Mcknight Web

For Victoria Lynne McKnight, an advert for an apprenticeship on Facebook has led her to a rewarding career with Citi. 

After starting the Cybersecurity Level 3 Apprenticeship with Belfast Met in 2018, the apprentice discovered a love for coding, and problem-solving through code. This led Victoria to complete the Level 5 Cloud and Application Development in 2020 before progressing to the Level 6 in Cloud and Application Development in 2024.

Now an employee at Citi, Victoria is taking her learnings and applying in a real-world setting.

Read all about Victoria's journey below. 

Why did you choose to study the apprenticeship pathway?

"I was on maternity leave with my first born when my then employer went into administration. Figuring I was going to be unemployed, I saw the advert for the apprenticeship on Facebook and applied immediately.

"I had always loved IT but after having to leave university when I was 20 due to some family issues, I had been unable to get into the industry. This apprenticeship seemed a fantastic opportunity to get both industry experience while also getting my undergraduate degree."

How did Belfast Met help in your apprenticeship journey?

"I joined the apprenticeship as a new mother with a 6-month-old I was feeding myself. Belfast Met provided me with support so I could care for my child and re-join the work force. They have been supportive through my second pregnancy and my maternity leave and understanding when my focus has been pulled from learning to focus on my children during times of illness. They supported my dyslexia and the learning support I needed for both exams and coursework."

 How did your employer, Citi, help in your apprenticeship journey?

"Having the day release for college work has allowed me the space to prioritise my learning. Without the day release I do not believe I could have found the time to study and work on my coursework. They were also fantastic and provided me with support so I could care for my child and re-join the work force.

"Citi has a benefit for 5 days paid leave for study which I have been able to utilise to support my coursework and exams, a positive culture around learning and support from leadership, managers, teammates and HR.  My employer also offers 20 days of childcare which I have been able to utilise to reduce my childcare bill."

 What do you think are the benefits of studying an apprenticeship?

"Getting years of industry experience, working and earning while you study and no student loans. With the living wage my employer offers I have been able to afford to return to work full time, the first woman in my family to do so after having a child."

What would you say to someone thinking of studying an apprenticeship?

"Do it, it is the greatest decision of my life. It has changed the direction of my life and my children’s lives. I have now got my undergraduate degree, a private pension, private healthcare and a wage I could never have achieved before my apprenticeship. I am financially independent finishing my undergraduate degree with 6.5 years of industry experience, multiple professional qualifications and a fantastic network of cohorts who supported my learning and are across many areas and fields within Northern Ireland!"

Are you interested in the Apprenticeship pathway? At Belfast Met, we offer a range of apprenticeships and traineeships across a number of subject areas.

To find out more about our Apprenticeships and Traineeships, click HERE.


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