From Work Experience to Apprenticeship: Travis’ Journey at Streets Heaver
When Travis Whitelaw first walked through the doors at Streets Heaver, it was meant to be a short work experience placement. Eight weeks later, it marked the beginning of a career in technology.
Today, his journey reflects something bigger – the growing opportunity for IT apprenticeships in Lincoln, particularly in software, SaaS, cyber security, and DevOps.
Travis joined Streets Heaver on 17th November as part of his T Level in Digital Support and Security at Lincoln – The Priory Academy.
“I remember feeling quite nervous on my first day,” Travis says. “I’d never worked in an office before.”
That uncertainty didn’t last long.
In a short space of time, he made a strong impression, not only through his technical curiosity, but through the maturity, initiative, and confidence he brought to the Platform Engineering team.
A Strong Start in IT Work Experience in Lincoln
Travis’ connection with Streets Heaver began during a one-day work experience visit, where he took part in CV workshops and observed different roles across the business. That initial exposure to a real software and SaaS company in Lincoln left a lasting impression.
When he later needed to complete 300 hours of industry placement as part of his T Level, he reached out again – hoping to return.
“One of the things the company has done best is making me truly feel like an employee,” Travis explains. “I feel like a valued part of my team.”
For Stephine Robinson, Learning and Development Manager at Streets Heaver, that sense of belonging is intentional.
“From the start, what really stood out about Travis was his emotional maturity and confidence,” says Stephine Robinson, Learning and Development Manager at Streets Heaver. “He was comfortable speaking with people across the business and fitted in very quickly.”
That confidence extended into the technical team.
“When Travis first joined us, what immediately stood out was how eager he was to learn,” says Gokul, DevOps Engineer at Streets Heaver, who mentored Travis throughout his placement. “From day one, he approached everything with genuine curiosity and enthusiasm.”
Real-World Exposure to DevOps, Software and Cyber Security
Travis joined the Platform Engineering team – the group responsible for infrastructure, cloud environments, automation, cyber security, and the core systems behind Streets Heaver’s SaaS solutions for the healthcare sector.
For students exploring technology apprenticeships in Lincoln, this kind of exposure is invaluable.
“In a small DevOps-focused team like ours, everyone contributes across multiple areas,” Gokul explains. “That meant Travis could see how networking, security architecture, cloud infrastructure, and automation all connect in a real business environment.”
What quickly became clear was that Travis already had a strong technical foundation.
“He understood principles like zero trust security, how Git works, and just-in-time access,” Gokul says. “That made it much easier to involve him in real projects.”
- During his placement, Travis gained hands-on experience with:
- PowerShell scripting
- SQL databases
- C#
- Terraform and infrastructure-as-code
- Virtual machines and networking
- Cyber security processes and security operations
For someone considering a DevOps apprenticeship in Lincoln or a future in software and SaaS, this practical exposure provided insight far beyond classroom learning.
Learning Through Initiative
One of the defining moments of Travis’ placement came during a phishing simulation project.
“I showed him where in the Security Centre we build and deploy phishing simulations,” Gokul explains. “He wasn’t familiar with HTML or CSS at the time, so I pointed him toward learning resources. He taught himself what he needed and built an email that looked convincingly authentic. The speed he picked it up – and the quality – genuinely surprised me.”
Rather than being guided step by step, Travis was encouraged to develop independence.
“I’m a big believer in not spoon-feeding,” Gokul says. “I showed him the framework and the resources, but he built it himself. That’s how you develop real capability in DevOps and cyber security.”
Looking back, however, that challenge became one of the most valuable aspects of Travis’ experience.
“Being thrown in at the deep end actually helped me understand complex concepts much more quickly,” Travis reflects.
For students exploring IT apprenticeships in Lincoln, that blend of guidance and independence mirrors what real industry learning looks like.
Growing Confidence in a Professional Technology Environment
Moving from education into a professional software and SaaS environment can be daunting.
“In his first couple of days, he was understandably adjusting,” Gokul reflects. “You go from being around peers to sitting in meetings with engineers discussing live infrastructure and security decisions.”
But his confidence grew rapidly.
“He began contributing in meetings, speaking up in discussions, and reaching out directly to team members. By the end of the placement, he was operating much more independently.”
Simple conversations, informal guidance, and everyday interactions played a bigger role than he initially expected.
“I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity,” Travis adds. “Even simple conversations made a real difference and helped me feel like I truly belonged.”
This growth is exactly what structured technology apprenticeships in Lincoln should be designed to build – technical competence combined with professional confidence.
Why Apprenticeships in IT and Technology Matter
Stephine is a strong advocate for practical routes into the tech sector.
“T Levels and apprenticeships give students genuine choice,” she explains. “They combine academic learning with meaningful industry experience – which is incredibly valuable for students who know they want to work in technology.”
For businesses like Streets Heaver, a Lincoln-based health tech company – investing in local talent strengthens both the organisation and the wider tech community.
“We’re in a privileged position as a family-run business,” Stephine adds. “We can build relationships with local schools and help prepare the next generation of tech professionals right here in Lincoln.”
Importantly, careers in software development in Lincoln are growing – and they don’t require relocating to a major city.
“There are technology and software opportunities in Lincoln,” Stephine says. “You don’t have to move away to the big city to build a successful career in tech.”
From IT Work Experience to DevOps Apprenticeship
Travis’ enthusiasm and development did not go unnoticed.
“I’m confident he’s ready for an apprenticeship because of how much he achieved during his placement,” Gokul says. “With broader access and deeper responsibility, I believe he’ll excel.”
As a result, Travis has now been offered an apprenticeship with Streets Heaver, continuing his development in DevOps, infrastructure, and cyber security within a live SaaS environment.
A Word from Travis
“I’m really happy to be back at Streets Heaver, it feels refreshing to be out of education and into a workplace. One of my favourite things about being here, is I have always been seen as a colleague rather than a student. What I’m most looking forward to is having the ability to grow my skills, which I can use to contribute towards the company.”
Looking Ahead
Travis’ story is a powerful example of what can happen when potential is given space to grow.
“For someone at such an early stage in their career, exposure is everything,” Gokul reflects. “Real workplace experience changes your perspective. That’s what this placement gave Travis.”
At Streets Heaver, supporting apprenticeships in IT and technology in Lincoln isn’t just about recruitment – it’s about responsibility, community, and building the future of software and SaaS talent locally.
And for Travis, this is only the beginning.