Casual Funeralcare Operative/Funeral Arranger Review

by Co-op

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

8/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

I am a Casual Funeralcare Operative; which means I work as and when required. I am trained and employed to carryout any Funeralcare role, which includes collecting and caring for the deceased, making up coffins, encoffining the deceased, driving the hurse, limousine and bearing at the funeral. I am also a qualified Funeral Arranger so work in our branches when required arranging funerals and tending to all the associated administration.

10/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

Yes, when I joined Co-operative Funeralcare I had no knowledge of the Funeral business at all; but I have attended many training courses and learnt on the job so I now feel confident and capable of undertaking any task given to me.

10/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

The training programme I am now working through is giving me the opportunity to expand and deepen the basic knowledge that my 'in house' training gave me. It can be hard work but the knowledge gained makes it all worth while.

9/10

4. How valued do you feel by Co-op?

Because of the wide range of roles that I have accepted to undertake I feel extremely valued. My manager knows that she can contact me at short notice and I will change my role, for example if a branch funeral arranger calls in sick.

10/10

5. How well organised/structured is your programme?

It is still early days as far as this programme is concerned but to date the programme seems well organised and more importantly applicable to my diverse roles.

9/10

6a. How much support do you receive from your training provider?

I know that I can contact my tutor at any time if I need guidance on any of the subjects that I am studying. Sometimes questions asked can appear rather ambiguous, but when discussed with my tutor the objective becomes recognisable.

9/10

6b. How much support do you receive from your employer?

My employers are as supportive as possible but of course the work must come first. As an Arranger I have access to certain computer programmes that assist me in my research, an ordinary FCO would not have that facility.

7/10

7. How well does your salary/package meet your costs?

Quite simply it doesn't. As a Casual employee my wage is very basic and will not improve until I have successfully completed this course; therefor at the moment I fund all my research and work on the course in my own time.

4/10

8. Are there many opportunities outside of work?

No none whatsoever, work at the moment is very busy so studying and completing the workbook has to be done in the evenings after work.

4/10

9. Would you recommend Co-op to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

Overall I believe they are good employers. I believe for a younger person entering this business the Apprenticeship scheme is very worthwhile and provides qualifications that are not easily obtained elsewhere.

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Co-op?

The Application process is lengthy and needs to be understood. The interviews and assessment are not so difficult, if you are not capable of doing them you should have been weeded out by the application process. The initial training is good but basic most skills are learnt on the job. Every new starter is meant to have a mentor, because of the sheer volume of work I have found that ideal just cannot be achieved.