Ad hoc economist Review

I support in the calculation of official statistics and analysis of large datasets. This role includes: developing code to clean and analyse data, producing documentation about the methods I am using and the results I found and running suggestions/ findings by stakeholders

I have learned how to code in R and SAS. I have had lots of opportunity to develop presentation and writing skills. I have learned about how to handle data and how to test my outputs to ensure they are robust.

I enjoy my current role a lot since there are lots of interesting economics related questions to answer and there is ample opportunity to up skill in coding and writing. In some previous roles I was quite light on work at times and I personally struggled with working and learning coding remotely during COVID-19 (and when my office closed for 11 months due to flooding). However, since my office opened back up my experience has been much better as there is always someone I can ask for help and I've been able to meet lots of people. The University of Kent have put together a really well organised degree course with sufficient opportunities for apprentices to meet in person (annual residential week and in-person meetings each term) and also take onboard student feedback.

University of Kent organise the degree well with structured modules and a good mix of learning. Most apprentices take one study day a week (usually Friday) and it is clear in nearly all modules what you do during the study day (though there is some discretion for apprentices around how they divide their time between modules and how much extra time they spend studying). There is a clear progression through the modules the university offers with earlier modules helping you get to grips with the basics and later modules building more on critical thinking and more challenging economic concepts. Regular check-in meetings with university advisors and sign off documents help with keeping track of progress I have made in work against the apprenticeship standards preparing me for interviews at the end of the apprenticeship. There are currently a few teething problems with the final assessment in the apprenticeship which has been problematic for apprentices completing the course.

My department offers lots of support options including a buddy scheme to help new people settle in, mentoring which can be useful for the degree, online courses to help upskill in coding (and people in the office/ your team are always happy to lend a helping hand) and Teams forums where you can ask questions. My department also offers considerable wellbeing support including support networks, guidance on SharePoint websites and buddies.

The University provides regular check-in meetings every 8 weeks to make sure you are progressing as planned against the apprenticeship standards. Lecturers make considerable effort to make themselves available through Teams/ email if students have any questions about modules/ assignments.

I think with economics it is best to think about the skills you obtain from university rather than what the content of the modules actually is. The university course generally prepares you well for work training you up in writing (for assignments), explaining economic concepts, data analysis (including econometrics) and critical thinking (in later years). Lecturers are great at providing constructive feedback which helps me improve the quality of my work in the workplace. The one area the course falls short in right now is coding. Many economists are now moving on from using Excel but the University course is still predominantly taught using Excel (besides econometrics modules). However, to some extent coding has to be learned on the job.

Our office has regular social activities such as "pay-day drinks". Our department also has a sports and leisure society which people can get involved in. I think the social experience is better if based in London where more apprentices are based since the economist apprentices have a society that regularly organises socials in London (difficult to organise things up North since apprentices are quite spread out).

Yes

The economist degree apprenticeship programme is a fantastic opportunity to combine learning economics with valuable workplace experience. I have learned a lot through my work which I would not have picked up in a regular degree and the skills from the degree and workplace complement one another well. The government has made more of an effort than most economics employers to recruit apprentices based outside London. Working for the government also provides considerable job security, a good annual leave package, good workplace flexibility and a job role with a clear real world benefit.

The government is not looking for the finished article, they are looking for people who have an enthusiasm to learn economics and who will be prepared to put in the work to complete the course. So do not worry if you have not previously studied economics. Let your enthusiasm for the degree/ working in government shine through in your application. I think some preparation for the interview, e.g. looking at potential questions and thinking about examples, can be helpful but try not to overdo it in case answers become scripted.