Learner Spotlight: Halimo Addow
From Apprenticeship Insights to Real‑World Change
Halimo Addow is a Social Value Advisor at Bouygues Construction and a recent graduate of the Level 4 Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Practitioner apprenticeship. Transitioning from a 7.5‑year career in Early Years, she applied her transferable skills to sustainability and community-focused work. Throughout the programme, she developed confidence, strengthened her professional capabilities, and became a Sustainability Champion on site. She has won Camden Council’s Apprentice of the Year Award.
Looking back at your apprenticeship journey, what originally motivated you to choose a career path in sustainability?
“I wasn’t actively seeking a career in social value at the beginning; I had been working in Early Years for 7.5 years and saw the apprenticeship advertised. I realised I had the transferable skills they were asking for. I like to work with people, I had been working with children for a long time and the apprenticeship would allow me to progress and work with the wider community where I live and have a positive impact.”
What experiences or projects during the apprenticeship had the biggest impact on you - either personally or professionally?
“I don’t think there was one particular project or experience; it was a cumulative thing as I moved through the apprenticeship and engaged with my peers, attended development days and 1-2-1 coaching sessions with my Skills Coach. Those things helped me continuously develop my confidence as well as my professional skills.”
How has the apprenticeship changed the way you approach your role or think about sustainability and responsible business?
“As a Social Value Advisor, it has helped me understand how responsible practices can be embedded across the different areas of my work. I now actively look for opportunities to add social value or bring sustainable practice into my work. I want to be a part of our strategy.”
Can you share a moment when something ‘clicked’ for you - where you felt your learning directly influenced your work or confidence?
“There was a moment when I was working on my project, and it clicked. I was thinking about different communication methods, data reporting and so many other things. I thought, I am actually doing it! I hadn’t realised how much I had been embedding from what I had learnt on the apprenticeship. It was all starting to feel so natural to me.”
“My manager (and mentor) Sam also volunteered me to become the Sustainability Champion on site, and she entrusted me; it was nice that she saw what I can do and has confidence in me.”
What aspects of the programme did you enjoy the most, and why did those elements stand out?
“I really enjoyed the Development Days, it was an opportunity to meet the people I had been sharing the online Live Sessions with, we shared ideas and best practices, we all had different backgrounds, so it was great to see how the course branched out into different industries. It was really interesting.”
“1-2-1 coaching with my Skills Coach was amazing! Devina was so accessible, and if I had any questions, she would go over them with me. She was so helpful and really approachable. She made everything feel so seamless and calm. There was also that interlink between Devina and Sam, which always made me feel everything was ok.”
Now that you’ve completed the apprenticeship, how do you see it shaping your future career goals or development plans?
“It has encouraged me to explore further development opportunities in the future, possibly including a degree apprenticeship. I want to continue my study in sustainability, it is something I am really interested in, and I would like to broaden my knowledge and experience.”
Can you describe the programme in three words?
‘Impactful, Life-changing, Empowered”
I heard you won an award recently, can you please tell us more about it?
“Every year Camden Council has an award for Apprentice of the Year. Last year, I was nominated by Sam and by a Project Director at Bouygues Construction, and I won! That was pretty cool! There was a big ceremony held at the Samsung KX in Kings Cross, there were lots of people and I had to go on stage to collect the award; it was daunting, but it was a nice surprise.”
Insights from Halimo’s manager on her time at Bouygues.
“We are proud to have Halimo as a valued and integral member of our team. She is a dedicated member of the project team, and a real asset, consistently contributing to our collective goals and bringing a fresh perspective drawn from her local knowledge. Having transitioned from a career in Early Years to the construction sector, Halimo’s adaptability, resilience, and enthusiasm have shone throughout her journey. She quickly mastered the requirements of her apprenticeship and has grown in confidence,
developing a comprehensive understanding of the industry.”
“As a local resident, Halimo is passionate about making a positive impact in the community. She is a proactive advocate for promoting the benefits of our projects to the local community through outreach, education, and learning programmes. Her commitment to supporting local initiatives and inspiring others through educational engagement is helping to strengthen our relationship with the community and maximise the positive social value outcomes of our projects.”
‘Halimo’s drive, ability to overcome challenges, and her independent approach make her an exemplary colleague. We are delighted to see her continue to flourish within the team and look forward to her ongoing contributions to Bouygues UK and improving best practice across the industry for social value”
Sam Mayo – SV Lead, Healthcare Projects
Huge thank you to Halimo for telling us more about her experience of the programme. To find out more about LDN Sustainability Professional, click below.