Research & Knowledge Services Apprentice Review

My role has divided responsibilities, one of my responsibilities is to help manage our firms resources and subscriptions such as: Journals, Books and Loosleafs. I am also responsible for my departments administration such as booking meetings, organising inductions for other analysts and raising purchase orders for their training days. My other responsibility is to help out with the research work we receive. For example, I am on the research enquiry inbox once a week and I take on research projects.

I have definitely learnt new skills and developed my existing skills since starting my apprenticeship. A skill I have learnt is my time management and my ability to prioritise tasks has improved massively due to working in a fast paced corporate environment I have to be flexible with my calendar and shuffle tasks around appropriately. When you are at college you are normally set revision and homework once you have completed the previous set, whereas in the office environment it is very different. A skill I have developed since starting my apprenticeship is my ability to network and meet new people, during college I did networking but to a much smaller scale such as attending several enrichments and extra curriculars. Since starting my apprenticeship I have been offered several training and in person learning days were you are able to meet and socialise with so many different people from the firm.

I enjoy my programme to a very large extent, I am very grateful that my team are very understanding and supportive about my study time. They will offer to help me if I have any questions, I consistantly receive my 20% study time a week. My provider BPP have been very helpful too, there was a slight issue with one of the resources we received but they corrected the issue very quickly and permitted me to have an extension due to the disturbance. They are very understanding and reassuring, all apprentices are allocated a coach to go to if they have any issues or concerns which is very helpful.

My study programme overall is very organised with launching the knowledge webinars, they are very quick to respond to queries regarding the content and what evidence you can/cannot submit. Apart from the slight mistake with the resources which was just a small human error, I am very happy with them.

I receive a lot of support from my employer, they are very understanding that working full time alongside studying can be challenging, particularly at a young age. They host events that apprentices can attend such as days out, lunches and networking sessions. These events are very useful as it is always nice to speak to people in the same position as yourself. My team is very understanding and respectful towards my study time, I receive a study day every week and support if I have any questions or concerns. I am very content with the support I receive.

My training provider are very supportive when helping me work towards my qualification, I have a call with my coach and my line manager every month to discuss my progress, if I need any help and improvements for my portfolio. They have also informed me about a training log I can use to keep a log of all the training I have done as this will further benefit my grade. Overall, I feel very supported and reassured by my provider.

My qualification helps me perform better in my role as it allows me to have a better understanding of how businesses run and potential factors that can influence my company and my role. As I am a Business Administration Apprentice I learn about the PESTEL analysis which focuses on potential factors that can influence a business such as Political, Economic and ext. Becoming more aware of external factors have allowed me to become more knowledgeable and particular when carrying out certain daily tasks. For example, since learning what factors can negatively influence a business such as the environmental factor I have a better understanding on how my company can impact climate change and I have taken much more sustainable steps to limit carbon emissions when ordering resources.

There are several extra curricular activities my firm offers such as CSR charity days, networking opportunities. They have also previously had a netball team at the Leeds Office as well as yoga sessions. There is a wide range of activities and sessions you can attend.

Yes

I would recommend Addleshaw Goddard as everyone at the firm is very friendly and supportive, the firm itself offers amazing opportunities such as useful training sessions, talks and even days out.

Some advice I would give to people applying to Addleshaw Goddard is at your interview is to be confident and be yourself. At the end of the open day we had a small networking session with other employees from AG, it gave the applicants an opportunity to get to know other employees in the firm and to get a wider insight. As well as other employees get to see which applicants stood out to them.