How the Level 5 Coaching Apprenticeship transformed my professional practice

Introducing Andy McCall

In summer 2025, Andy completed the Level 5 Professional Coaching Apprenticeship with NITE. Andy is the Business Start-Up Co-Ordinator at Coventry University, in this role he supports students who are developing and launching their own businesses. Here, Andy reflects on his experience of the course, how it has shaped his approach to coaching, and the impact it has had on his work.

Developing skills through shared learning

For me, the highlight has been the monthly workshops with my tutor and fellow learners. These sessions gave me the opportunity to bring real client experiences into the room, explore abstract ideas, and test out new coaching methods in practice. I gained valuable knowledge and, more importantly, the confidence to apply fresh approaches directly into my coaching style.

One of the biggest revelations has been around empathy. I always believed I put others first, but I hadn’t realised how naturally non-judgemental I am – something that is absolutely vital for coaching and mentoring. This course helped me recognise that strength, and I now feel proud and empowered knowing that I genuinely take other people’s needs seriously.

A course structure that supports progress

The blend of workshops and online learning has been incredibly effective. Monthly in-person sessions gave me time to reflect, consolidate my learning, and progress at a steady pace. I was lucky enough to attend every workshop, but it was reassuring to know that any missed content could be easily caught up through the online portal. The structure really supported both consistency and flexibility.

The support has been outstanding. It’s one thing for a training provider to deliver a syllabus, but the NITE team went much further. They not only supported me but also encouraged empowerment throughout my learning journey. That approach has given me the confidence to carry everything I’ve learned into my daily professional practice. The quality of delivery and support from NITE has been tremendous.

Impact on career and ambitions

Within my organisation, I work in a department that supports students who are developing or launching their businesses. Thanks to my Level 5 Coaching and Mentoring qualification, I can now offer structured mentoring as part of that support. This has added real value to our entrepreneurship programme and has broadened my own professional scope.

Advice for future learners

If you are considering this course, my advice would be simple: put your ego and prior knowledge aside, and fully commit to the programme. The structure will challenge and improve your approach, while instilling a new level of learning discipline. If you go in with the right mindset and commitment, you’ll get incredible support from the NITE team and come away with skills that will transform your coaching practice.