Apprentice Economist Review

I work as an apprentice economist at DWP. This involves doing policy costings and analysis, as well as meeting with various stakeholders and policy colleagues to discuss their needs and requests. I work on a variety of tasks with different team members, including colleagues of other professions, for example statisticians.

I have learnt various invaluable skills so far on my apprenticeship, including communication skills, team working and collaboration, quality assurance of work, planning and prioritisation and applying what I have learnt so far in my university modules to the job. I also have the chance to develop my leadership skills when on projects and in meetings.

I thoroughly enjoy the programme and I think it is something that should be advertised more widely due to the large benefits it has. You are gaining a degree in a subject you are interested in as well as being able to apply what you have learnt on the job and working with people of the same profession and like minded.

The programme overall is well structured and organised. The teaching material is released each week and university staff are always available to help out. Additionally, the support received when working in the civil service from your line manager, buddy and other colleagues is great and something that the programme has organised in an amazing way.

My employer provides a great amount of support when I am at work. I am supported on new tasks and given all the resources needed as well as being supported with my personal and professional development. The level of support allows to feel like you have somewhere there to help if needed but can carry out a task independently.

My training provider (the university of Kent) provide a good level of support towards my qualifications. We are given a range of resources, including webinars, seminars, slide packs and reading material to help expand our knowledge on a topic and fully understand the module. We also have apprentice advisors who provide support and guidance around the apprenticeship and modules.

I would say that the qualification (economics degree) help me perform better in my role at work because I have a better knowledge about certain aspects of a task and feel confident about the work I produce. Both the mathematical and analytical side of the module help me to perform the best I can when at work and around other colleagues with more knowledge.

At work we have a variety of social events to get involved with. Their are after work socials which all grades and professions can attend as well as special socials during Christmas. This is a great way to get to know other people in you office location. We also have division socials where everyone from each office gets together for an away day.

Yes

I would highly recommend the government economic service to a friend or anyone interested in perusing a career in economics. The work we carry out is helping society and ensuring the government makes the best decisions. Being able to use my economics knowledge in a job is great and the community and support from the GES is 10/10.

I would say that having a good understanding of maths and English is essential when applying for a role at the GES. But also showing how passionate and enthusiastic you are about working with other economists and being able to make a difference to peoples lives through your work you do.