Apprentice Economist Review

My work involves a range of tasks, including making reports, slideshows, bidding for work, researching topics and finding data and general quality assurance. As I have progressed through the job I have gained more responsibilities, I am currently learning to work with economic models as well as working more independently on projects.

I am learning a variety of skills, as someone at the start of their apprenticeship most have been soft skills like working in large groups, reviewing work, and preparing presentations. I am starting to incorporate the academic skills I have learnt at university into my work, which is helping me to understand economics more in-depth.

I enjoy working with my company as they are flexible with when and where you work, this has given me the ability to fit work around my life instead of fitting my life around work. I have gotten great support from other apprentices and staff who are all helping me to do project work that I enjoy as well as support my learning.

This apprenticeship is rather new and the details and logistics of the programme are still being changed and altered. The apprenticeship gives people a BSc in Economics as well as an additional qualification which brands us as professional economists. The criteria we all have to meet can be rigid and inflexible, the programme requires students to be on top of admin more so then if you were to go to university.

I have received support from my employers throughout the apprenticeship, as people hope to develop your skillset and confidence in the workplace. Our employers are looking at even providing some academic support for us if we need it. Overall, they have been flexible with me and my unique needs and requirements.

Our training provider offers a very basic level of support which would be expected from a university. The course is fully remote, but the training provider tries to incorporate some in-person teaching. However, this tends to be unorganised and unnecessary. The support given by the training provider can sometimes be helpful but sometimes not. Making it quite inconsistent.

I would not be able to take part in any of the technical work my company does if I was not doing the BSc. As such the quantitative part of the course is necessary, the theory is more abstract and is less applicable to the work. However, still helps to frame concepts and ideas.

Our work holds some informal and formal opportunities to socialise in but it is up to the individual to take part. The extra-curricular activities tend to focus towards sports, I think the range of extra-curricular activities is not the best, but I think there are opportunities to start your own social clubs.

Yes

I would recommended Arup because the work they do is very vast meaning there is something to interest anyone. In addition, they are helpful in training staff to be able to increase the skillset so they can work in an area they may deem to be rewarding. The benefits the company provides are good and the pay is competitive.

Take time answering the questions that they ask. Do not try to sound too sophisticated but showing an understanding of the type of projects the company does is very helpful. In the interviews mentioning a project and doing background research on the company is a must. Do not feel like you have to come across as perfect, but show that you are willing to improve and work in a team, as these are quite important values within the company.