Apprenticeship Advisor Review

I manage Retail and Legal Apprenticeship programmes, along with a cross-business Chartered Manager Degree programme. I work with our business so ensure the programmes meet their training needs, and work with our learning provider to manage risks and issues to the programmes and to help create positive experiences for our colleagues

The CIPD Level 5 Apprenticeship has allowed me to cement my experience in HR into the qualification, giving me credibility as an HR professional. I developed my technical knowledge, and the activities I work on in my 'off the job' time gave me the opportunity to put this into practice.

The programme was challenging but rewarding. The qualification side of the programme had quite tight deadlines and no gaps between one module finishing and the next starting, which didn't take into account annual leave or peak periods in work. The qualification side of the programme takes up all of the 20% OTJ which means it's hard to balance the Apprenticeship portfolio side.

The first 12m is largely the qualification side, which does take up most if not all of the 20% OTJ. If you don't use some of your own time, you risk leaving the Apprenticeship side and portfolio until the end of the programme. You risk losing motivation to go into EPA once the qualification has completed. That said, the first year has a very clear structure.

My employer supported me a lot on this programme. From my peers and line manager being understanding of me shaping my week around my 'off the job' time, to leaders in the business volunteering time to complete surveys / get involved in my work-based project, I really felt supported by the people around me

The support was mixed - my trainer was really nice and a good sounding board. Because the qualification takes up most of the 'OTJ' time, I felt a bit of pressure to have spent more time on the knowledge, skills and behaviours in that first year than I could have. I understand this was so that the apprenticeship was given as much weight as the qualification, but it was hard to balance these.

100%. It's improved my technical knowledge, my confidence and my credibility with the business to have cemented my experience though a qualification. By reaching out to senior leaders for support with my own apprenticeship has helped to raise awareness of apprenticeships in general, which should then have a positive impact on my role!

I am a volunteer for one of our colleague networks. We have six colleague networks providing visible and safe spaces for colleagues and allies of colleagues of different communities. In my volunteering role, I organise learning and networking events under our career development workstream. I recently held a session to raise awareness of Apprenticeships during National Apprenticeship Week.

Yes

We're a values-driven business, putting people at the heart of what we do and how we do it. I appreciate my employer for supporting career and personal development through Apprenticeships. The investment we make beyond the levy supports the importance of Apprenticeships to us. There are lots of opportunities to get involved in extra activities and to try new things.

The Co-op is BIG! It's easy to see the customer-facing elements and not spot the multitudes of teams which support these operational elements. From People teams to Property, to Marketing, to Energy, there is lots going on! For life-long learners, we have lots of development opportunities. Our colleague networks highlight our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.