HR Officer Review

I am an Human Resources Officer (covering at the moment duties of HR Manager) for a department of Social Sciences Division of the University of Oxford. the department is called Oxford Internet Institute. I manage the HR functions of the department from the recruitment to the end of the contract

I am doing a Professional Coaching Level 5 apprenticeship - I have learned many new skills such as active listening, open questions, solution focused approach, co-active coaching, emotional intelligence, deep listening, probing questioning, power of silence. I continue to learn every day and use these new skills on a daily basis

This professional coaching apprenticeship is very interesting, and I enjoy it very much as it combines and enriches my existing skills with new and deeper meaning. I am able to use my Human resources skills in a new way and it gives me new paths to explore for my future career

unfortunately I don't enjoy the home learning and the bpp platform, I find it difficult to navigate and have an overview of the programme. it doesn't flow and doesn't prompt you to see the whole of the programme steps and actions needed or missed. you need to access a different area for online lessons

unfortunately due to the covid 19 pandemic, my role in the department has had a crucial place and it was not possible for my employer/department to allow me to dedicate the time I needed to perform at the speed required my apprenticeship, but I managed to keep some activities going, but I am behind

unfortunately the professional mentoring that was offered at the start of the apprenticeship didn't work out so I was assigned a different mentor, whom had some personal challenges and has missed/postponed two meetings. this has had a negative impact on my learning and on the timing of the apprenticeship.

my apprenticeship programme is not directly linked to my current role, but it does never the less help me in performing better as it gives me stronger and deeper understanding of the human relationship which is fundamental in the role of an HR professional like me, I think it should be recommended to all HR

in my role as HR I get involved in many extra activities - we have company, department and university level events. I do volunteer for local charity called SNAPP - that looks after the neonatology unit in intensive care for the J R Hospital in Oxford - I love cooking and I bake for the parents of the children

Yes

the University of Oxford is a large and well established employer, although salaries are not the highest it compensate with good level of benefit on a large scale, cycle scheme, transport scheme, and it is one of the best pension still available in this day and age, it also actively promoting professional development

I would recommend any one applying for a job at the University of Oxford to check the benefits it offers. I have done two apprenticeship in my 15 years at the department of Oxford Internet Institute, one level 3 in Human Resources and currently one level 5 in Professional Coaching