Amazon area manager shares her journey during National Apprenticeship Week 2026
AN APPRENTICE from Swansea is encouraging young people across Wales to consider apprenticeships as a pathway to long-term careers and personal success during National Apprenticeship Week 2026 (9–15 February).
Sara Evans, who works as an Area Manager at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Swansea, is sharing her story to inspire others to pursue vocational training and education while building a career.
Sara is currently completing an Operations Management Higher Apprenticeship with Amazon through the University of Exeter Business School, which she is due to finish in March 2026.
Her journey with the company began more than a decade ago. At just 18 years old, she joined Amazon in 2014 in what was her first ever job, with little understanding of how the business operated.
“I literally had no idea about anything back then. I had obviously ordered lots of stuff from Amazon before, but I didn’t know anything about how it worked,” she said. “As soon as I started working there, I thought, ‘this is pretty cool’. There’s so much more to it than I ever expected.”
Starting out as a stower, Sara quickly showed potential. Within months, her team leader helped her access training opportunities, leading to qualifications in first aid, fire safety and instruction. She later moved departments, where she trained as a team leader and completed her first apprenticeship – a tier one qualification that secured her a permanent leadership role.
After several years as a team leader, Sara progressed into management. When a new apprenticeship opportunity became available for management staff, she applied immediately.
She said the apprenticeship has helped shape both her professional and personal development.
“The self-awareness I’ve gained through this apprenticeship has been really beneficial. We learn about business operations and finance, but also about who you are as a person. As a manager, earning people’s trust is the biggest element – how you talk to people, your body language, how you build relationships. These are skills you can take anywhere, not just into one job.”
Sara says the people she works with are what make Amazon special.
“You work with so many different people. You’ve got to be honest and open with the team, and then it all works. Everyone wants to work for you and you work as one big unit. People remember everything, so you’ve got to be yourself.”
Although she had always wanted to go to university, Sara previously felt it was not possible while working full-time in management. The apprenticeship route changed that.
“I can do this while I’m working. Why wouldn’t you do it? There are no negatives, only positives. You get a degree, you learn new things, meet new people, and even travel to Exeter for coursework. It’s an amazing opportunity.”
Her message to anyone considering an apprenticeship is simple.
“Just do it. It’s a no-brainer.”
While she remains focused on management for now, Sara says the future is full of possibilities.
“I want to complete the degree and see where it takes me. There’s so much at Amazon – so many different fields. Maybe I’ll move into IT or HR in the future. There are so many different things I could do.”
The Amazon Apprenticeship Programme is recognised as one of the UK’s top three schemes by the Government’s Department for Education. The company also runs a Supported Internship programme for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), combining classroom learning with hands-on work experience to develop essential life and employment skills.
Applications are now open for Amazon’s apprenticeship programme.
More information is available at: www.amazonapprenticeships.co.uk
