Implementation Coordinator Review

I am an implementation coordinator. I handle the application/software releases within prudential. My job role involves talking to many managers and support teams to see if there was any concerns or problems with their new application they are deploying or in testing. If there is problems then I have to try and figure a way around the problem along with a time frame to complete it in. My responsibilities include chairing meetings on a daily basis, starting/updating the implementation pack which then gets sent out to everyone in the business who is involved in the release. I also have to report to higher senior members in the business to let them know how this months release is going and if we are encountering any problems. Then on the application release weekend, If I am not in charge of the release then I will be supporting my manager on the weekend. The weekend includes talking to about 30 people, telling them they can start task 31 or 58 etc. If there is a problem on the weekend, I have to escalate it and organise a emergency conference call to talk to the support team about the problem and if there a way around it and if there isn't then we have to back out.

Here at prudential, we have internal workshops. I have done so far, personal effectiveness, personal impact and motivation & assertiveness. I do have 3 more up coming workshops throughout the apprenticeship to help me develop my skills and better myself when working within prudential. I have external training courses by QA, which I have already passed 3 Microsoft MTA qualifications, which are highly recognised by other businesses and hopefully be passing 2 more qualifications, having 5 when I finish my apprenticeship. my external qualifications are around infrastructure and hardware to help me apply that knowledge when I am at work. For example I have passed networking fundamentals and Microsoft cloud along with Microsoft mobile and desktop operating systems, so these courses really help me when I am at work, because I can really apply the knowledge to my job, all training courses are relevant for me. my personal skills have definitely developed, for example my confidence is much better due to hosting meetings and talking to a lot of colleagues. Also my professional skills have developed for example leadership, teamwork & collaboration, project management and time management.

I really do enjoy the programme, I have all the support and help around me. My team/department I work in are really nice and friendly. They all made me feel welcomed when I joined, and if I have any problems I can always go to them. The company culture as a whole is really friendly, I can also just talk to someone randomly without knowing them. My expectations of the programme is that I thought it was going to be really hard and I'm going to be left to do everything. Yes the programme is hard, but I have the support around me to get through the programme and meet my targets.

I do feel very valued to Prudential, my team, manager and mentor. I recently managed the April release, and got a lot of recognition and appreciation from it. I do get appreciation for all the tasks I do and I help out with. Nothing goes un noticed. I am very involved in all the releases as that is my job role, so I have something to do and someone to contact to find out information.

The induction process was very good, was the first week learning about Prudential and all the safety information and key information that we need to know before going into the business. They was very good and helpful for me, because I haven't in the past worked in an office environment, so it was good to give me some context before, instead of going into the business straight away. In terms of support, I have plenty. So I have my line manager, mentor, buddy, apprenticeship scheme manager, my skills coach from QA and my team. So I always have someone there if I need support or help on something. I have a weekly 1 to 1 meeting with my manager, along with a monthly team meeting with the other apprentices and scheme manager to voice any concerns. I have my skill coach who comes in every 4 weeks to check up on me and my coursework, and again to voice any concerns I might have. I have to same job role as my manager, so in other terms, I am doing half of his tasks, and when he is unavailable I take more charge. So regarding task delegation between me and my manager, we have a rota of who is going which month releases. Therefore who ever is taking control of that month, they take on most/all prep work and runs the implementation weekend. But again if I couldn't pick something up if I have too much work then I can give that task to my manager. Regarding the external/training provider structure, at the start there was a hick up, but now it is getting resolved slowly. The problem at the start of my apprenticeship was on QA's fault, so it did cause me to fall behind on my coursework, but I have caught up now. Just was inconvenient, but it is resolved now.

Like mentioned before, there was a hick up in the first couple of months of my programme, so it was hard to get support throughout those months. Now it is resolved, I have my skill coach I can email and they reply within 48 hours. We do have monthly catch ups where he comes into my place of work, and I can voice any concerns and anything else I need to do. My skill coach is very supportive and gives me guidance with my coursework and next steps I should take.

My line manager is very supportive, any concerns or worries I have I know I can talk to my manager about and he will support me. The same goes for my mentor, I can talk to both about any problems or if I need support on certain tasks. My manager gives me guidance when managing the release and I am still learning, since it is a big job role to learn. If I have any problems both my manager and mentor will try and resolve it as quickly as possible. The apprenticeship scheme manager, gives me support too, and I know if I need to talk to her then about anything, then I know I can do.

The location suits me well, I'm just 20 minutes away on the train or by car. If I have to travel anywhere for a meeting or on work basis, then all train and expenses are paid for. My salary for my age is quite good, the only expenses I spend because of work is the travelling to work and back from work. But there are schemes within Prudential that if I need to then I can get a travel loan to cover my expenses, if I am short of money on that month.

So I have part of an events club, that organises/manages company events. So I am part of that club, so I am always involved in something that is going on within the company. There is exercise classes available outside work hours, which are advertised around the building. There are also mental health classes which I can attend to deal with stress and importance of mental health. I have already done a local community volunteering day, which was very beneficial. Prudential is 5 minutes away from the gym and from the town centre, so many clubs outside of work available.

Yes

Prudential is a great company to work and a highly recognised company on your CV, but the apprenticeship programme is excellent. You have support everywhere you go. Everyone in Prudential is really friendly and happy atmosphere, as well as a lovely building too.

The interviews and assessment centre day are very important because this is where the managers gets to see what you are like. So it is really important to be yourself throughout the application and assessment centre days because the managers are looking for your personality as well as your professionalism.