At Aspire, we’re proud to work with apprentices who bring ambition, curiosity and real commitment to their professional development. One of those rising talents is Eliza Wright, who began her journey with Story Contracting as a Trainee Buyer and has recently earned a well-deserved promotion to Assistant Buyer.
As part of her apprenticeship experience, Eliza shared her reflections on the work she does, the challenges she’s overcome, and how an Apprenticeship in Procurement and Supply has shaped her confidence and career.
Below, Eliza answers a series of questions about her journey so far.
Could you tell us a bit about your role and what you do day-to-day? How did you fall into procurement?
I provide regional support for multiple Rail and Construction sites across the UK, as well as support to internal stakeholders. As a procurement function spread over the UK, I procure various materials and services. My role within the team is to assist with the live projects that require a procurement action, and more recently I have been managing a few live projects myself. Our focus has always been on providing support for our project teams and ensuring requests are dealt with accordingly.
What motivated you to take an apprenticeship in Procurement and Supply?
I was motivated to complete an apprenticeship in procurement and supply because I wanted to gain real-world experience while learning. I’ve always been interested in how businesses operate behind the scenes, particularly how goods and services are sourced, negotiated, and delivered efficiently. The Level 3 Procurement and Supply Assistant gave me the chance to develop both my professional skills and academic understanding at the same time.
What were the biggest challenges along the way, and how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge for me was my confidence in completing exams. Throughout my academic journey I have always struggled with this. I knew when signing up to this apprenticeship, I wanted to be confident in knowing I had done everything I could in preparation for the exams. This included practising various revision and learning techniques until I found what worked for me.
What advice would you give to someone who’s just starting their apprenticeship/CIPS journey?
A piece of advice I would give would be to take your time with all elements of the journey. Everyone works in different ways and different time scales. This apprenticeship allows you to work around your on-the-job hours and off-the-job hours, so it can be very flexible to what suits you.
Which topics or modules have been most useful in your role?
Each topic covered in the module has been relevant within my job role. This has allowed me to connect the modules to my job and has made this easier to understand than reading out of a textbook. Everyone is different; however, I thought this worked well.
How has the apprenticeship helped you in your role or confidence at work?
The apprenticeship has really helped me in my role as well as my confidence within work as I have gained a lot more knowledge that I have been able to use in my role.
I would highly recommend this apprenticeship!
What’s next for you?
I have recently been promoted from Trainee Buyer to Assistant Buyer, following my CIPS Level 3 apprenticeship completion. I plan on continuing with my development within work and may look into the Procurement and Supply Chain Practitioner (Level 4) Apprenticeship in the future.
Eliza’s journey is a brilliant example of how a procurement apprenticeship can open doors, build confidence, and set a strong foundation for long-term career growth. Her achievements at Story Contracting highlight what’s possible when on-the-job experience is paired with high-quality training and structured development.
If Eliza’s story has inspired you:
- Learn more about our Procurement & Supply apprenticeships and discover which level is right for your team or your career.
- Get in touch with our apprenticeship team to discuss upcoming cohorts, funding options, or how to enrol.
We’re here to support the next generation of buyers, planners and procurement professionals – just like Eliza.
