Pensions Team Assistant Apprentice Review

My role is located at the ITV offices in Preston. This is the location of the Pensions team who administer the DB Pension scheme for existing and retired employees of ITV. As an apprentice here I shadow the different sections within the team (Projects, Finance, Pensions Support Team and Admin) learning what they do on a day to day basis whilst picking up new skills and knowledge. I have gotten involved with continuing projects and have even led a small project. My day-to-day changes as I move through the office but I am regularly interacting with the team whilst completing any work I am given. For the college aspect of the Apprenticeship the whole team were supportive in choosing my units and making sure that I am doing everything to make sure that they are covered. Furthermore, on many occasions you are invited to visit the London offices to have a 'BIG Induction' where I learned more about the business as a whole whilst seeing what upcoming dramas are coming on the telly.

Mostly I have developed existing skills with Microsoft Office, often being called on to help with tasks that relate to any of the programs. Moreover, the company arrange 'Apprenticeship Development Day's' where they invite you down to London to meet with the other Apprentices, as of writing this I have only attended the first one where we learned about personal branding where I was taught how to present myself as a whole to be successful in a business enviroment.

I enjoy my programme greatly because there are many oppotunities to grow and although most large companies tend to give of a bad feeling of workworkwork to their employees ITV feels almost the opposite, in which they make you feel as though you are part of a bigger family and rather than expect perfection they train you immensely to then go on to do your job to the best you can.

I feel extremely valued by ITV, my Manager and 'buddy' (an extra person to talk to regarding any issues you may have) praise any good work that I do whereas if I do not do a piece of work to a standard they expect they help show me the correct way to do it. Also, any projects that I got involved in I was always kept within the loop regarding it when it was moving forward.

At the office of which I am located I believe I am the first Apprentice they have hired and with this in mind I feel as though it was well structured and decently planned out. My time as an apprentice I worked with the 3 main sections of the office, Projects, Finance and Admin the only issue I found was that it was more of an of the cusp decision of the timings in which I would be changing departments. As a whole though regarding task delegation, any training and support the program has been excellent.

On each visit from my training provider, she checks if everything is okay and any problems you may have will give advice and will see your point of view. Any college work you're struggling with she offers help on how to complete it. Due to this I looked forward to meetings with my training provider rather than dreading any overdue work.

The team in which I work are constantly offering help and making sure that I am completing the units which we decided upon. They are happy to schedule in some time if they are busy to help you or will drop what they are doing to help guide you with anything.

I struggle with living costs but this is due to my own issues of signing for a flat I couldn't afford, if this was not the case the salary for this apprenticeship is very good and should cover monthly travel costs, whether you can drive or take public transport.

There are many opportunities within the company to take part in new things and to get involved in voluntary initiatives or take part in 'Lunch and Learns' that cover various topics. If you join the Preston team its not very convienient as a lot of these events take place in the larger sites such as manchester or london, although they are sometimes streamed on the watercooler (the internal website).

Yes

It is a great company to work for

Be confident and relaxed in the interview process, be talkative and interesting when asked questions and mingle and chat with the others candidates to show that you can get involved with others, also have an item that means something to you that has a story you can talk about - not 'I brought a paper clip because I an flexible and hold things together'. Take any opportunities that arise by the horns and really give it your all.