A former apprentice at Basildon Sporting Village has been highlighted as a shining example of career progression during National Apprenticeship Week, after working his way up from apprentice to Swim Manager in just six years.

Joshua Milner, 26, joined Basildon Sporting Village - which is managed by Everyone Active in partnership with Basildon Borough Council - as a swim admin apprentice in January 2018. After completing his one-year apprenticeship, he has gone on to achieve remarkable success in the swimming world.

His dedication to teaching swimming earned him the coveted 'Swim Teacher of the Year' award in 2024, leading to a special visit from double Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington OBE, who personally presented him with the award.

Joshua was selected from more than 3,000 swim teachers across Everyone Active's 240-plus facilities nationwide.

Since starting as an apprentice, Joshua has taken on various roles including swimming admin assistant and swim school teacher. He has also worked extensively with local community groups, including running sessions for Sport For Confidence and supporting children with disabilities through the Level Water programme.

In recognition of his outstanding contribution to swimming in Basildon, Joshua was promoted to Swim Manager in April 2024, where he now oversees all swimming activities at the centre while covering a temporary management position.

Shaun Beagle, Area Contract Manager at Everyone Active, said: "Joshua's progression from apprentice to Swim Manager perfectly demonstrates what can be achieved through hard work and dedication.

"He embodies everything we look for in our colleagues - a passion for helping others, a commitment to excellence, and the drive to continually develop his skills. His journey shows the incredible career opportunities available through our apprenticeship programme."

"For me, doing an apprenticeship in leisure has been the best decision I have made," says Joshua. "It has opened up so many opportunities and helped me develop important life skills along the way."

In his current role, Joshua balances management duties with his passion for teaching. "The most rewarding part of my role is gaining knowledge of how a swimming scheme operates and implementing my own ideas," he explains. "It's amazing how a swim scheme of this size runs smoothly with all departments working together, and all of our staff are amazing in what they deliver."

"Seeing all of our students, from children to adults, progressing in their swimming abilities and conquering their fears is such a rewarding part of teaching," Joshua adds. "It's the best feeling."

His success story was celebrated during National Apprenticeship Week, which ran from 10-16 February 2025, showcasing how apprenticeships can lead to rewarding careers in the leisure industry.