Sutton-in-Ashfield apprentice encourages others to follow in their footsteps during National Apprenticeship Week 2026

Chloe Breward from Sutton-in-Ashfield is taking part in the Amazon Apprenticeship programme and is sharing her story to encourage others to consider an apprenticeship.

Chloe works as a Reliability Engineering Maintenance (RME) apprentice technician and is completing a Level 3 Mechatronics apprenticeship with the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry as part of the Amazon Apprenticeship programme.

Before joining Amazon, Chloe spent many years working in hospitality. When Amazon's Fulfilment Centre EMA1 opened in Kegworth in 2019, Chloe wanted a career change and joined the company as a warehouse operative.

Within just one week, she progressed to a position on the Amazon Robotics team as an Amnesty Floor Monitor, working in this role for three years before applying for an RME apprenticeship in 2020. Chloe started her apprenticeship in 2022.

During her first year, Chloe faced an unexpected challenge when she became pregnant. After years of struggling with infertility and recurrent miscarriages, she and her long-term partner Daniel, who also works at Amazon, welcomed daughter Sophia – their “miracle baby.” Chloe paused her apprenticeship for maternity leave, returning to work in 2024.

Chloe has also been diagnosed with ADHD and manages the condition with medication. Returning to work after a year away whilst managing ADHD, sleep deprivation as a new mother, and adapting to night shift patterns presented significant challenges.

She said: “I wanted to share my story because it's a little bit. I wanted to show that it is possible to continue with your studies and also manage being a new mum and beingneurodivergent, which in itself daily is a battle. But I'm doing it. It's working. I get a lot of support on site, which is great.”

Chloe’s interest in engineering stems from childhood experiences helping her father with DIY and a fascination with cars. “I always felt a little bit like the black sheep of the family. I wanted to show my family that I’m actually capable of doing something if I put my mind to it. I finally found something I'm passionate about, and with ADHD, when you find something you're passionate about, you develop tunnel vision. The drive intensified after becoming a mother. I want to give my daughter the best possible life.”

Alongside her role at Amazon and her studies as an apprentice, Chloe is involved in reverse mentoring with Steve Sharp, Amazon EU RME Director, working to address barriers faced by primary caregivers in the workplace.

For those considering an apprenticeship, Chloe’s advice is clear. “Go for it. Most people worry, thinking, ‘I can't pick up a spanner.’ I didn't know how to do any of that. But at Amazon they will mentor and teach you everything you need to know. Even if you're thinking, ‘Shall I?’, then one hundred percent go for it.”

Beyond technical skills, Chloe highlights the confidence she's gained as a positive from her apprenticeship. “The biggest thing I've learned is to just get involved with absolutely anything. I used to be absolutely terrified of work video calls, and now I have regular 121 calls with the RME Director. The more I've exposed myself to doing new things, the easier it's become.”

Chloe aims to complete her apprenticeship by the end of this year and is considering progressing into RME leadership. “I'd like to be in the RME leadership team one day. I want to represent and advocate for women in RME. Amazon has provided a pathway to transformation and my end goal is to use this transformation to give my daughter the life she deserves.”

The Amazon Apprenticeship programme is recognised as one of the UK's top three apprenticeship schemes by the Government’s Department for Education.

Young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can also take advantage of the Amazon Supported Internship programme. Launched in 2021, the initiative combines classroom learning with practical work experience; helping interns develop essential skills in English, Maths, and CV writing, while gaining hands-on experience across three operational job functions.

Pay at Amazon starts from £13.95 or £14.96 per hour depending on location, equating to between £29,037 and £31,116 annually. Additionally, from day one, all employees are offered a comprehensive benefits package including private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection, and an employee discount. Together, these benefits are worth more than £700 annually, and employees can take advantage of a company pension plan.

Applications are now open for Amazon’s apprenticeship programme. For more information, visit: www.amazonapprenticeships.co.uk