Apprentice Administration Assistant Review

I'm an apprentice administration assistant which is where I support the Clerk of works and Caretaking supervisor. I help with sorting out any maintenance issues as well as talking to contractors. I work on a large spreadsheet that tells me what works need done to each room/flat/studio across all accommodation.

I have developed my confidence skills greatly alongside my qualification. I have met new people and Oxford University has allowed me to meet and see all different things that has helped my communication skills. My IT skills have greatly improved through the amazing services from IT services. They have enabled me to gain knowledge about many different IT related things.

It's a great opportunity to able to work for such a large organisation whilst being able to work towards a qualification. It's interesting to see the different processes the office has in order to keep busy periods well organised. It's been a great experience and taught me many things and I'm looking forward to see what it has in store for me in the future.

Before I started I got given all different email contacts as well as support from my line manager to ensure I know who to contact whilst starting. I'm always in contact with my Co Ordinator who helps you through the course with any worries that may occur. I do a 10 week course at a college and each month I meet with my assessor and she gives me tasks to do to work towards before our next meeting.

The University of Oxford has made me feel very welcomed and comfortable in my first couple of months here. There are many people that are there to support and help me with any worries. Oxford University have many courses where you meet all different people from different parts of the University.

I meet monthly with my assessor who goes through all the workload and knows how much to give me for each month depending on busy periods. She is always on email and has given me a contact number to access. My training coordinator does the same and makes sure everything is good.

I have developed many skills from college that I can through to work days like confidence and people skills. It has given me more of an insight of what to expect in the working world and how to approach certain things whilst working for such a large organisation. I have learnt more about the business industry and how I should conduct myself and my communication depending on different people. I have also met many people in the same position as me who I can learn from.

There are many online courses that a readily available for any member of the University to take part in. In the estates services as a whole, there was a team put together to do a run for charity that enabled employees to take part in. Also, as a team we have weekly sessions where we meet for coffee and cake to discuss what's been happening and what we can do better for the future.

Yes

There is so much to learn from the University and because it's such a large organisation, you can try new things all the time. It's such a friendly place and so many new and interesting people to meet and learn from. It's very well organised and you don't feel out of the loop and always welcomed.

One bit of advice I would recommend is that it's always important to be yourself. When you're applying, make sure you don't miss out any of your success' because everything counts. It's also important to be positive and to keep a smile on your face. It can be hard to do sometimes but any employer is looking for someone keen and ready to work.