Chloe at The Etc.
After graduating with a degree in psychology, 23-year-old Chloe Mudie from Lazenby found herself searching for the right career path. Like many young people leaving university, she faced the uncertainty of choosing her next steps — until she discovered the Bespoke Employer Led Programme (BELP).
A Tailored Route Into Employment
Delivered by Stockton Riverside College, part of the Education Training Collective (Etc.), BELP is a six-week course designed to match job seekers with real vacancies — providing industry-specific training and a guaranteed job interview at the end.
“I was told there was a guaranteed interview at the end, and even if I didn’t get the job, I would still walk away with a Level 1 qualification,” said Chloe. “That was a great starting point for me, and now I’m working towards my Level 3.”
Thanks to her success on the Business Administration Academy, Chloe secured a role in procurement within the Etc. group, and is now completing a Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship.
Learning On The Job
Since joining the team, Chloe has taken on real responsibility — working directly with suppliers and managing a wide variety of purchases for the organisation.
“One day we could be buying sweets, the next it could be coaches, generators, or even organising a trip to New York,” she explained. “I like looking at data, working in an office, and learning new skills. This job has given me a strong footing for my career.”
With her enthusiasm for learning, Chloe is already considering additional qualifications to keep building her skills. “I’m learning while doing the job, rather than just studying theory. That’s made the process much easier and more rewarding for me.”
A Proven Path for Employers and Candidates
The programme that kickstarted Chloe’s career is part of a broader collaboration between the Etc., Jobcentre Plus, local councils, and the Stockton Employment and Training Hub, with funding from the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority through its Adult Skills Fund.
Kelly Skeet, Adult Skills Manager at Etc., added: “We offer a variety of BELPs, from scaffolding and green energy to early years and business administration. These programmes equip candidates with Level 1 qualifications, work placements, and employability skills, ensuring they are interview-ready. For this particular programme, we tailored it to fill a vacancy in procurement.”
Employers, too, are seeing the impact. Phill Iverson, Group Procurement Manager at Etc., said: “Chloe has done an excellent job. She communicates effectively and knows when to escalate issues – skills that aren’t always common in apprentices. I’d 100% recommend BELPs as a recruitment route. If I could hire through this programme every time, I would.”
A Flexible, Future-Focused Role
Now thriving in her role, Chloe divides her time between Stockton Riverside College, Redcar and Cleveland College, and home working. She has already contributed to major projects like the procurement for the new NETA facility on the Stockton Riverside College site.
The experience has not only equipped her with tangible skills but also opened the door to a future filled with opportunities.
This training has been delivered with the help of funding from the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority through its Adult Skills Fund.