L&D Partner Review

Working with Training Partners to ensure quality delivery within our development programmes. Managing relationships, improving existing programmes and exploring new programmes. Analysing data for the purpose of quality and reporting to the wider business. Building relationships with educational establishments to bring work experience opportunities to interested students. Arranging skills workshops and webinars.

My apprenticeship has brought about a host of new skills. As an improvement practitioner understanding and using DMAIC (define, measure, analyse, improve, control), Gannt charts, project charters, pareto charts, fishbone diagrams, benchmarking, FMEA (failure mode effect analysis), root cause analysis, current state maps, future state maps, controls plans, cost of poor quality and voice of the customer.

My apprentice programme is very enjoyable. As expected the majority of the new learning is supporting me in doing my role on a day to day basis. The training provider has an excellent training plan, easy to understand and complete. The LMS used by the training provider is very user friendly and i find it easy to upload my work.

My programme is very well organised/ structured. My tutor communicates regularly and organises tutorials, 1-2-1's and progress reviews at times that are suitable for everyone. This enables myself, my line manager and the tutor to really ensure the time is protected and for great conversations to take place. From the very start the training provider clearly set out the timeline.

My employer, line manager and team are extremely supportive. They see the value of the new learning and when I am implementing something new I have gained from my apprenticeship they are very quick to recognise the benefits to the team and the business. The business as a whole sees the benefits of personal development and recognise and reward those who invest in their skill set.

The support from the training provider has been immense - not only with the apprenticeship programme but also in understanding the challenges of my role and amount of time out of formal learning. I feel i am treated as an individual and not just another learner. During my apprenticeship i have also completed English and maths functional skills which I thought would be quite scary but the specialist tutors really helped and i thoroughly enjoyed my 1-2-1 sessions.

The learnings from my apprenticeship have not only allowed me to address my current role with more clarity but I am now able to explore other avenues more strategically and bring greater value to my role. This qualification was largely unknown by myself and the organisation before I started my apprenticeship, however there is more and more interest in it now.

There are lots of opportunities to get involved in extra curricular activities - the main one have I found is a professional networking opportunity - as an apprentice I see the AAN (apprenticeship ambassador network) as such an important and useful way of not only meeting other apprentices and employers but also the opportunity to support students with career talks. The AAN also provides support to those who have little experience at presenting to give confidence when engaging with schools and students.

Yes

There are so many facets to the business - When i first started working in my local pub, i thought that was it - but the longer i stayed at the pub the more I understood about the opportunities in the pub i worked in, also the wider business opportunities. If you're willing to invest in yourself and your personal development the opportunities are endless.

Please don't just think it is only your local pub or bar - the business is huge. The support network is fantastic and the development opportunities are boundless. Don't expect everything to land in your lap, work hard and own your own development opportunities. There are loads of apprenticeship development opportunities available ask your manager!