Network Design and Analysis Consultant Review

It is expected, as an NDA Consultant, for me to typically be able to: • Act as the expert source of Operational Research, performance measurement, Location Planning, and statistical analysis • Applying complex data analysis and interrogation using multiple central business data systems • Automate solutions for complex issues, as well as create and implement reports where this cannot be done by existing systems • Use Location Planning, analysis and modelling to identify and monitor current (and potential) customers, and the locations of our clients, customers, products, and our branch network, to support the current and future network strategies as well as new strategic developments, e.g. consumer segmentation, demographic planning, new network locations • Investigate, then design and develop data integrity cleansing, issue/error highlighting, and conformation analysis to ensure viability of critical data systems/reports within the business and external stakeholder, and to enable improvement opportunities to be identified • Work collaboratively with key internal and external stakeholders to interpret and influence their data and analysis requirements and to provide detailed, bespoke solutions • Use fact based, objective observation and data modelling to influence and persuade with actionable recommendations • Develop a deep understanding of the business and its objectives to ensure analytical consultancy is embedded in everyday decision making

Below are examples of required technical (and non-technical) skills from my job description, where completion of this apprenticeship has supplemented and provided knowledge of additional tools, such as SQL Server using SSMS, Python within PyCharm (or MS Visual Studio) and MS Power BI: • Advanced experience in Microsoft Excel including data analysis tools, pivot tables, BI analysis and Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) • Advanced experience in Microsoft Access, ideally including VBA to design and develop databases, query data, and conduct analytics • Experience of GIS applications such as MapInfo (with MapBasic) and their use in retail Location Planning • Experience in the analysis, summarisation and presentation of large amounts of data, highlighting relevant solutions • The ability to package and present ideas with clarity and to convey complex technical & non-technical information in an appropriate way to a variety of audiences Prior to completing this apprenticeship, I had a lot of experience with working with VBA and MS Excel/Access to: • Automated work-flow solutions for managing business processes. • Extract data from file systems, such as taking data from 10,500 template Excel files, and creating a single flat-file view. • Cleanse data for the purposes of address matching and geocoding. • Taking data from different database sources to create a summary piece of information (for example about a branches history).

The Programme has been interesting and useful as I have learned enough to be more effective at my job. The Data Architecture module in particular has been the most useful as I do use the SQL server skills from this module in my job, more than any other module. The knowledge gained from the SQL server modules have been the most useful as they have allowed me to develop databases in SQL Server from scratch. As such I have not used MS Access a lot, instead converting them over to SQL Server to leverage the performance benefits needed for automated tasks.

The organisation of the course was done pretty well once I was enrolled and settled down. However, thanks to Covid-19, there were initial teething problems as my first module (as subsequently all the others) had to be converted to an online learning format. In addition to this, the platform that helps deliver and track the apprentices' process was changes after I had done the 2nd module. I must be stressed that this was definitely for the better, but initially there was a level of confused and multiple changes in personnel responsible for supporting me during the Programme. However, I note the following: • I do feel like the quality of classroom training, depends on the tutor and the experience of the other students in the class. For example, the Data Architecture course was possibly the most intense in the sense that the tutor moved to quickly, there were only 5 students and for the first time we thrown into breakout sessions to complete large activities each day. Having said that, I do use the skills from this module in my job, then from any other module. • During the revision sessions for the BCS exams it was clear to me that depending on the tutor I didn’t cover as much is some areas as others did. Some topics even seemed new to me. • There was also the confusion about the Data Science module that once included Python, which I was looking forward to, but now using R Studio only.

As my role is involves a lot of autonomy, I have been given the time and flexibility to balance my job and apprenticeship workload accordingly. My line manager has also been supportive with regards to providing me with ideas for projects that allow me to leverage the new skills learnt that are also of benefit in my workplace environment.

Now that I have completed all of the required modules, all of the support come from my tutor / advisor. It is their role to ensure that I am keeping up with the Programme and have done the work required to showcase the required competences within my portfolio. There is an online portal available 24/7 where I can ask questions and/or submit work and await feedback etc. Responses are normal received with 24 hours at the latest, and communications are always pleasant, supportive and encouraging.

I have not yet completed the apprenticeship, but the knowledge gained from the SQL server modules have been the most useful as they have allowed me to develop databases in SQL Server from scratch. As such I have not used MS Access a lot, instead converting them over to SQL Server to leverage the performance benefits needed for automated tasks.

During normal circumstances (pre-Covid-19), when I am not working I like to go to the gym and relax at home watching documentaries and TV shows. Work social events are few and far between (especially since a number of budget cuts), so there isn't a lot of opportunity for socialising at that level. However, at a team level, we were always having lunch together on a Friday, and occasionally going to the pub.

Yes

Similar to working for a Local Authority, the Post Office Ltd provides a lot of different products and services, which means there is a lot of opportunity to move around and gain experience within the diverse company. There are people who started working on the counter in branch, and are now working in head office responsible for help curve the future direction of the business. Having customer-facing experience and intimate helps, but isn't essential for someone with a technical, and data background such as myself. This is because once you have the technical skills it is easier to learn about the business domain, rather than the other way around.

I would advise that applicant do some research on the public website to gain a wider understanding of breadth of the business, and be sure to ask the format of the interview and assessment so that you can prepare accordingly. For example, my interview was for a technical role and as such, was 3-pronged: 1) A HR style interview where they are asked about your experiences in certain situations, or "what would you do if this happened?" questions. 2) Analytical style interview where the question was "how would you go about finding out how many tyres there are in the UK?" 3) A competency test in both MS Excel and MS Access.