Programme Support Officer Review

by Co-op

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

10/10

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

Working within a HR team, I manage our Retail Apprenticeship programmes. This involves managing risks and issues to the programmes, liaising with our learning providers to make sure our colleagues have a great experience, liaising with our colleagues to make sure that their programmes run smoothly and they complete as expected.

10/10

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

The HR Apprenticeship is encouraging me to think more cross-functionally. Whilst I focus on Apprenticeships, it's important that I understand things like Diversity & Inclusion and Employment Law. As I plan my future in HR, understanding the wider business context and impacts will help me to be more strategic and see the bigger picture - which helps me with planning future programmes

10/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

It's still early days (I only formally started in December 2020) but I am enjoying the programme and the things I've learned. I had a good understanding of Apprenticeships due to my role so expectations have been met. There is a lot of support within my company for Apprentices too.

10/10

4. How well organised/structured is your programme?

I think the programme is well organised. It would be nice to meet the tutor in person, but the virtual experience is good as it's meant that we can keep going through lockdowns

10/10

5. How much support do you receive from your employer?

I receive a lot of support from my employer. My immediate team looks after Apprenticeships so a lot of support there, but I've found that colleagues who have previously completed this course have reached out to offer support. My biggest challenge is in building the 20% OTJ time into my week

10/10

6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

As a Level 5 apprentice, the programme is more self-led but I think the training provider support is suitable. I haven't had any issues when I've reached out with questions and we have regular 121s which are planned in advance.

10/10

7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

This qualification will definitely support me to perform better in this role and help me to prepare for the next role. It is helping me to consider things at a strategic level and to consider broader impacts.

10/10

8. Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)

I am part of our Women's network and an Inclusion Pioneer so lots of additional things to get involved in! CIPD and Arch also schedule lots of helpful webinars which I've found have supplemented my learning

10/10

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

Yes

9b. Why?

It's a very people-focussed employer - from working in HR I can see the resources dedicated to looking after our People. There is a team of people dedicated to Apprenticeships, they're a key focus and we work hard to make sure that people are not just learning, but that they're having a great experience

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

You get out what you put in - the support is there for every colleague who wants to develop and grow. We're also bigger than you think - growth can be sideways as well as vertical so there are lots of opportunities.