Transformation programme manager Review

I manage a transformation programme at the council. This involves helping the different services define where they need to improve, whether that be improving processes to increase back office efficiency or improving customer experience and then working with them to consider different options for solutions and putting a project plan in place.

Being a mature student, the apprenticeship degree has helped me consolidate as well as develop my skills. For example, one of my modules covered finance. I have previously carried out investment appraisals and the university degree gave me insight into other methods to those I have previously tried. This has added to my practice and made me better and more confident at my job.

I am really enjoying the programme. Although I can’t say I enjoy writing reports and essays, I am finding that because the university makes the studies relevant to my organisation, I can instantly see how the theory relates and this helps turns all of the learning into something useful and practical

With covid, the structure of lessons did change slightly as the providers needed to change from face to face learning to distance learning. This was a little bumpy initially but is now running very smoothly. The providers seem to adapt the course according to feedback from employees which does means there are some changes but hopefully these are to students benefit

Support from my employer is there in terms of they offered this programme and have allowed time out of the day to accommodate the learning. Outside of this I find the support is there but it needs to be asked for. So if I’m doing a module that doesn’t seem relevant, I can ask my workplace mentor for the opportunity to get more involved to help give me this insight

The university provides a dedicated skills coach who is available to chat through any specific issues. In addition there is also a team that run regular study skills sessions such as how to reference work or how to write better reflectively or analytically. These are advertised and it’s up to the student to book on.

This qualification is helping me to be a better employee both as a transformation practitioner and also as a leader and manager of my team. It consolidates my existing knowledge as well as giving me the theory to underpin it and access to a range of new tools to try.

There are lots of extra curricular things to try where I work. Some of it is work related such as joining a group that things of how to make the council greener as an organisation or better at design thinking. There are also yoga sessions in the town hall etc.

Yes

Stockport council is a great place to work. There are so many different departments that you could be a town planner, a social worker or a finance manager for example. It’s so varied. It is a progressive council and is openly looking at ways to improve its services by working with residents and local businesses and charities

I would say don’t think that because it’s a council it will be old fashioned and behind the times. Yes it is slower at getting things done than a small start up company but it is an organisation that makes a huge impact on those who live an md work in the borough and is always thinking of better ways of doing this. It needs people with the energy to help do this.