Economic apprentice Review

My role is in a cross cutting economics team within the financial modelling and analysis division. On a day to day basis I am involved in scrutinising policy costing notes to be sent to OBR for budgets, i review impact assessments within my department by providing costructive feedback and comments for improvement and manage a model used within the department by answering any queries on it and updating it with any new data.

I have learnt new skills because I have developed my data skills using excel as my job role involves monitoring models used in the department by updating excel spreadsheets with any new information and my analysis skills because we can analyse the results of the spreadsheets. I have also developed my communication skills and I am required to write precise emails and give presentations in a precise way.

I very much enjoy the programme because I have been able to develop new skills and improve my existing skills through my work. I have also gained invaluable work experience that I would not gain from just attending university. Furthermore, I have developed professional relationships with my colleagues and other apprentices which has given me an insight into the range on work my department does and I find this very interesting.

It is well organised as I am provided with study days to complete the required uni work for my course. This is helpful as it means I have enough time to compete it all to a high standard whilst also maintain a high standard at work as I am not struggling for time. There is also additional study days to use during exam periods. There were some issues regarding organisation of the residential week at the start of the year because we did not have the required log ins to complete the required work.

I receive lots of support from my employer because I am allowed my study days to compare uni work weekly and also take extra study days during exam periods. There is further support available through the grade mangers who manage apprentices and have monthly catch ups to inform us of any updates to our apprenticeship and a chance to raise any issues and they will suggest how to go out fixing any issues.

The training provider has a forum to raise any issues on the uni work for the week and these questions are answered in a weekly seminar. The seminar is also a chance to ask any additional question not raised in the forum and if you don’t indeed do you can ask questions. There is opportunity’s to book a session with a lecturer to review any assessments we have completed. There is a senior tutor drop in session to raise any pastoral issues.

I feel my qualification helps me to perform a lot better in my role because I learn essential formulas and calculations that I regularly use in my role. The most useful topic was data analysis in the first term because this was a good introduction to excel and I use excel a lot in my job. I also have wider hndersting of how my job effects the whole economy through studying macro economics.

There is opportunities to get involved in corporate contributions within the economics profession. There is also opportunities within the division to volonteer for roles. There is office opportunity’s: there is charity events- for example we are having a bake sale to raise money for Ukraine; there is social events- for example social drinks in town on Maunday Thursday.

Yes

There is such a range of roles within the government economic service and you gain valuable work experience that you can’t gain from just going to uni. Following the completion of your apprenticeship there is an option for an end point interview to gain a full time job within the department as a fully qualified economist which offers job security, there is opportunity’s to move jobs within the department to gain a variety of skills and expletive new jobs because for example some jobs are more analysis based and some are more scrutiny based.

Be confident in your application and act professionally because this is an important attribute when in the work place. Don’t worry if you have never done economics before because it is all taught to you if successful. If you don’t understand something in your interview or a task then ask for clarity, there is no silly questions- sometimes it can be stressful so it best to be clear on questions or tasks to make you feel more comfortable and perform your best.