Getting the right tools in place

How did you discover quality as a career?

Quality was not something I had originally set my sights on. I started out in packing and distribution at Facetheory, and found myself paying close attention to detail. That didn’t go unnoticed – my team saw potential in me and promoted me into a quality role, where I began working alongside an experienced colleague. Four years on, I am now a quality controller, and it is a role I have really grown into.

What made you decide to take the L4 Quality Practitioner Apprenticeship?

I wanted to deepen my knowledge and feel more confident using quality tools and processes. I don’t like relying on others for answers – I wanted to be someone who people could come to.

The apprenticeship gave me the confidence to make decisions independently. I have developed a much stronger sense of what is right and wrong in the business, and I have become the go-to person for quality issues. I am even involved in regular management meetings now, something I never imagined when I first started.

"I knew that learning about quality tools as part of the Quality Practitioner Apprenticeship would help me open people’s minds and show how much easier it is to solve problems when you have the right tools in place."

Jasmine Morton, Quality Controller, Facetheory, UK

What goals did you have when starting the apprenticeship?

At the time, the business was going through a lot of change, and my manager was keen for me to explore tools that could support that. I was particularly interested in practical problem-solving tools such as 5 Whys.

The aim was for me to build my own understanding and then share that knowledge with the wider team. Many organisations are simply not aware of the full range of quality tools out there, and that makes it harder to introduce them. I knew the apprenticeship would give me the foundation I needed to help change that mindset and make a real difference.

What were some of the highlights of the course?

One of the best parts was the opportunity to learn face to face with people from other organisations. You can learn a lot from an online course, but being in a room with others, sharing stories, challenges, and solutions, really brought the learning to life.

It reminded me that quality tools apply across every industry. Sometimes, you think a certain issue is unique to your business, but then you hear someone from a completely different sector describing the same challenge. That shared experience was reassuring and inspiring.

How has completing the apprenticeship impacted your career?

It has opened so many doors. I have taken on more responsibility and become multiskilled across different areas of the business. Where I used to feel confined to the quality department, I now have the knowledge and confidence to support other teams, too. The apprenticeship has really expanded my role – and my impact.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about doing the L4 Quality Practitioner Apprenticeship?

Don’t be intimidated. It is a big commitment, but once you start, you will be amazed at how much you learn. It is an investment in yourself and your career, no matter what sector you are in. I had done a little bit of quality training before, but the Level 4 apprenticeship really opened my eyes. It broadened my understanding and gave me the confidence to keep pushing forward.

* An excerpt from this interview first appeared in the Spring 2025 issue of Quality World magazine