HR Manager Review

I am a programme manager so my role involves high levels of stakeholder management including interactions with senior leaders on key initiatives. I am responsible for the successful delivery of multiple programmes and projects and have been sponsored to complete my CIPD Level 5 alongside my new role. My role is office based and day-to-day involves a lot of calls and emails that work through and deal with a variety of people issues.

I have learnt new skills and developed some existing ones - through continued development within the workplace I have been able to stretch my skillset, cover colleagues and gain experiences wider than just my own individual role. I have been able to progress within my role to cover additional issues such as pay queries and programme issues that previously would have been complex or difficult to understand.

The programme itself is really interesting. The essays can be quite complex but that comes as part of the level 5 course. Communication at the beginning was a slight issue with TDO's transferring apprentices between themselves so people didn't know at first who was supposed to be supporting them. Overall training is good with a mix of face-to-face and online sessions. Would definitely recommend.

The course is really structured with clear dates on face-to-face or remote online sessions. TDO visits and calls have been a bit thin on the ground due to changes between individual TDO's. How this links back to my role as an overall programme is key as I need to be able to provide evidence etc. This is where a good development plan has supported this experience.

I get as much or as little support as I need. If I have to gain some wider experience my line manager supports me to make appropriate contacts and to make it happen. I get study time as it is required in line with my regular duties. I feel really supported with my programme.

This course is a level 5 so a certain level of independent study is expected. The course is hands-on enough that there are regular opportunities to ask for support but it is not a hand-holding course where you have someone checking in on progress every few minutes. It's a good balance and is just right for my capability at this time in my career.

Having worked in a more operational role before I started this programme, HR was completely new to me. I feel that this qualification is extremely beneficial to my role capability and performance as well as future career progression opportunities. Colleagues have started to ask what programme I'm doing as my role varies to support the evidence I need.

There are extra-curricular activities but these are mostly London-centric unless individuals want to organise them for themselves. I am not aware of any sports teams local to me through work. I have attended professional networking events as part of my student CIPD membership but this is not related to my work specifically.

Yes

I would recommend BT to a friend as it is a continuously evolving business with opportunities coming up all the time. You do not have to stay in a role or specialism - you have the freedom and support to develop your skillset much more widely than that to ensure you are in a role that is both challenging but fulfilling.

Take your time when completing the application and be patient when you've applied. The process felt like it took forever but it's because of timelines to actually start are later in the year. When it comes to the video - take your time with it and run through it with a person sitting in front of you so it comes across naturally. The assessment day was good too - make sure you work on anything you're asked to prepare.