Enterprise Graduate Review
at Marks & Spencer
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Business Operations
Paddington, Greater London
Review Submitted: May 2021
Overall Rating
4.8 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4.5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
4.8/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
My day to day role varies as I am on a graduate scheme moving around the company but mostly it involves directly assisting and often leading on various campaigns and projects which I can use as real life business cases for my 20% of the job Data Apprenticeship course.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I thoroughly enjoy my program. It is challenging but I feel I am supported. Occasionally I feel there could be more practical based applications to work, as there are currently a lot of soft skill development which is used to assess our progress on the course.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Absolutely! The Data course has improved my understanding and technical competency within Microsoft Excel and Power BI so that I can utilise these skills directly where I am working. Data handling will always be an essential skill to have and I am grateful for the opportunity to further these skills.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
I feel it is very well supported and structured despite being a new initiative the company has employed. There is always someone to support you if you are stuck or would like to query any element of the program or course structure.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
Significant support by those who have implemented the scheme. Sometimes it is more difficult when this trickles down to line managers in the sense that they need to ensure you have the time to take the 20% off the job learning and are provided with the relevant data sets to complete real life learning, but this is technically all pre-agreed and signed off in advance so they should know what to expect.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
Significant support, particularly in the form of reviews every 6 weeks and check in periods where they are a source of guidance and support.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
Significantly aides performance and understanding of complex data and information when dealing with this. Also helps manipulate the data so as to gain further readings from the data and relay it to colleagues in a visually entertaining way through the use of Power BI desktop as an example.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
Yes absolutely, albeit not so much since having joined throughout the pandemic. There are frequent opportunities to meet with other graduates and share our experiences and therefore benefit from this network opportunity.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Marks & Spencer to a friend?
Yes
Why?
They are clearly a very caring and forward thinking employer who doesn't only think first and foremost of the employee but provides them with plenty of support and guidance to really flourish in their role and reach significant milestones in their role - even if just a graduate!
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Marks & Spencer?
The business is all about inclusivity and opportunity to everyone. There is a clear opportunity for employees to explore the business across multiple levels, most interestingly bi-laterally whereby many opportunities to get involved in alternative business projects, business areas, are always offered and supported. Equally there is clear evidence of uniting colleagues through co-curricular events and programs to help further build your network and enhance social engagement within the business.
