If you've been here before - yes things have evolved! If you are new here, Welcome! My name is Michelle, and this is where I will share my journey from running a small creative buisness, to working in IT as an apprentice.
This site is home to Ctrl+Alt+Begin, my blog for aspiring apprentices and career changers, and Ctrl+Alt+Create, my creative outlet. I hope you find something here that inspires you.
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Ctrl+Alt+Begin: Fresh Starts, Real Stories, Honest Advice
From fully funded apprenticeships for under-25s to changes in assessment, minimum duration, and Level 7 funding, the UK apprenticeship system is undergoing major reforms. This guide breaks down the latest government updates for 2025–2026 - what’s changing, why it matters, and what it means for apprentices, employers, and career changers alike.
Apprenticeships aren’t just for the trades. From marketing to IT, HR to design, non-traditional apprenticeship roles are on the rise, and they’re opening doors for creative, digital, and office-based careers. If you’ve ever thought apprenticeships weren’t for you, this guide might just change your mind.
After a decade of running my own handmade jewellery business, I decided to take a leap into something completely new: an IT apprenticeship in my 40s. This post shares the fears I faced, the skills I brought with me, and why starting again was the best move I ever made.
Here I talk about the inspiration behind my latest creation of Bluebell Earrings and recommend some places to see the bluebells in bloom in Gloucestershire
