To mark National Apprenticeship Week in the UK last week, we caught up with Reina, a store partner who is tackling our Accelerated Leadership Programme (ALP), a course that helps partners become Store Managers in just 13 months – a journey that typically takes at least 3 years.

By the end of the programme, partners also graduate with a Level 3 apprenticeship qualification – the equivalent to an A-level.

“I’m intrigued to find out what it takes to become a store manager and to learn something new,” that’s what Reina Fernandez Zamora told us last year. At the time, she was working as a barista behind the bar in Chiswick, UK, and had just started the ALP. A lot has changed for Reina since then. In January she started her new chapter as Deputy Store Manager – a role she started while still studying on the programme.

“I already feel way more confident”

“There were some skills I learned on the programme that I didn’t think would be immediately relevant to my role as a barista – like how to create rotas and delegate tasks to team members,” Reina says, “I had no idea that in only a few months I’d be using those skills as a Deputy Store Manager.”

In fact, before the ALP, Reina hadn’t seriously considered a leadership role. “I’ve always been good with people, but I didn’t know how to manage a team,” she explains, “since joining programme, I’ve found a different version of myself.” 

Reina moved to the UK from Tenerife and was worried she would struggle to keep up on the ALP because English is her second language. But she found the online classes were easy to follow.  Now she’s stepped into this new role, she’s facing a whole new challenge – keeping on top of her studies while getting to know a whole new team. But she seems to be taking it all in her stride. “Luckily my team is really supportive while I’m still learning this new role,” she says, “I already feel way more confident.” 

“Invest in yourself”

The ALP hasn’t just given Reina practical tools, it’s helped her to grow into the kind of leader she wants to be. One who listens, leads with empathy and understands that confidence isn’t always about having all the answers.  “I want my team to feel like they can talk to me about anything and truly be themselves,” Reina says, “I tell them that every problem has a solution, and we can find it together.” 

And these are skills Reina has found useful when she takes off the apron too. “Whether I’m supporting my team or navigating things in my personal life, it’s made me more aware, more open-minded and better able to support the people around me.”  

As for what’s next, Reina is still learning, still growing and still surprising herself. For anyone wondering whether an apprenticeship is worth it, she simply says: “yes, invest in yourself.”  Because it might just lead you to unexpected places. 

Learn more about a career at Starbucks: https://www.starbucksemeacareers.com/en/Apprenticeships