Portsmouth’s 2026 Apprenticeship Bus is hitting the streets from Tuesday 10th to Friday 13th February, bringing apprentice ambassadors and volunteers directly to students in the city.
Now in its seventh year, the Shaping Portsmouth initiative, delivered in partnership with local businesses and sponsors, invites apprentices from a wide range of industries to share their first-hand career experiences with Year 10 and 11 students.
Two apprentices from Lakeside, Gemma Abraham and Asia Torr, will be on the road for a two-day visit to secondary schools across Portsmouth to promote apprenticeship opportunities and their benefits.
During National Apprenticeship Week, the tour provides young people with an engaging, face to face look at the diverse paths available beyond traditional academic routes, helping them make informed decisions about their future careers.
In previous tours, hundreds of students have had the chance to meet passionate apprentices, with nearly eight in ten pupils reporting they were inspired to consider an apprenticeship after taking part.
Gemma Abraham is currently completing a Level 3 Multichannel Marketing apprenticeship and has praised the programme for its clear structure, practical focus and positive impact on her new role.
She transitioned from the Workplace Experience team into a new role as a Marketing Apprentice last year at Lakeside, motivated by personal growth and inspired by the career journeys of colleagues. Gemma started the 18 month apprenticeship programme in 2025.
Gemma Abraham, Marketing Executive added:
“I’ve really enjoyed the apprenticeship so far. The learning is clear, practical and easy to apply, and the regular check ins with my digital learning coach have really helped me stay organised and confident.
“The research and planning module I’m working on now has helped me understand how good preparation leads to stronger marketing campaigns, and I’m already using what I’ve learned to support campaigns, improve content planning and communicate more effectively. It’s made me more confident in sharing ideas and contributing to the team.”
Asia Torr joined as a Customer Service Apprentice, working in the Workplace Experience team at Lakeside while undertaking a Level 3 apprenticeship with HTP Apprenticeship College. In her day to day role, Asia welcomes visitors and occupiers, manages meeting room bookings, and ensures that events and meetings run smoothly, including catering and technical setup.
Throughout the apprenticeship, Asia has benefited from structured training and hands on learning, including shadowing sessions with managers and colleagues. This has helped build confidence and enabled her to take on more responsibilities.
Asia Torr, Customer Service Apprentice said:
“The apprenticeship has been incredibly stimulating. From the onboarding process to the support from my team, I’ve felt welcomed and set up for success from the very start.
“Balancing full time work with off the job training has been challenging but extremely rewarding. I’ve been able to apply what I learn straight away – whether that’s improving the customer experience, working more efficiently or handling complex situations with greater confidence. I’m really looking forward to continuing the programme and building on everything I’ve learned so far.”
Simon Bateman, Asset Manager said:
“It’s fantastic to see both Gemma and Asia grow with Lakeside.
“They bring great energy, creativity, and enthusiasm to the team. It’s exciting to see talent growing within the business, and both appointments are part of a wider focus on nurturing careers, expanding our capabilities, and delivering even more value to our occupiers.”
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