Job Evaluation Analyst Review

I have been involved in the Job Evaluation process, assigning jobs a salary grade. I have also been responsible for various staff benefits programmes which include car mileage, cycle to work and travel pass loans. I have also been responsible for HR wide freedom of information requests. I have also been involved in various HR projects such as the launch of a new HR system and the creation of a HR help desk website.

I have developed several of my skills, mainly communication and workload management. There have been various busy and quiet periods throughout my time here and I have learned how to manage my workload to meet business demands. I have expanded my communication skills by engaging with various people including trade unions, senior management and external clients.

The apprenticeship has been very valuable to me as I first started at the council in an entry level HR position without a background in HR. Everything was new to me and I didn't understand my position in the business. The apprenticeship really helped me to understand my function within our HR department, especially as I moved into my JE analyst role.

The apprenticeship was really well organised, with pre-planned workshops and one to one meetings, it allowed me to plan my studying around my day job which really helped me to avoid workload related stresses. Furthermore, there was good support structure from Realise with their mentors which allowed me to excel.

I have received a lot of support from my employer during my time on the apprenticeship. I was given protected time each week to work on my assignments, as well as to attend virtual workshops and one to one meetings with my mentor. My line manager was very involved and pushed me to improve throughout my time.

Realise have been very supportive throughout my time on the apprenticeship. I have been in regular contact with my training mentor who was always there to answer any questions I had and give me confidence in my own abilities when I felt unsure. They also provided extra skill learning opportunities, such as Maths and English.

The apprenticeship has helped me in my role because it has allowed me to understand my role better and where it fits within the function of our wider HR department. Furthermore, it has also helped me to develop my understanding of HR legislation and customer service skills which are very important in my current role.

I am not aware of any extra curricular activities in my place of work, however we are encouraged to join and become involved with trade unions which provide support and opportunities to develop existing skills, as well as learn new ones. I have been involved in projects with wider communities which gave me a better perspective on why we do our work here at the council.

Yes

Knowsley Council is a great place to work because I have been supported throughout my time here by colleagues and senior management. Flexible working is the norm here which helps develop a great work life balance. The council are keen to push you to learn new skills and develop existing ones, so professional development is excellent here.

The main tips that I would give to people applying to Knowsley Council would be to be approachable and communicate well. Have an understanding of the wider communities that the council looks after and how the role you are applying for fits within that function. It is important to have great workload and time management skills.