Personal Assistant Review
at Civil Service
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Business Operations
Canary Wharf
Review Submitted: August 2021
Overall Rating
5 /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!
5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
5/5
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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
I am personal assistant to the head of my department. I also support the wider senior leadership team in delivering the goals of the department and supporting the background business flow (HR liasion).
I manage diaries, agendas, minute meetings, complete establishment lists, track excess hours worked. I also lead on the teams recruitment and outreach.
I manage diaries, agendas, minute meetings, complete establishment lists, track excess hours worked. I also lead on the teams recruitment and outreach.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
As with everything, there were times it was really enjoyable and fulfilling, but there were also times I feel overwhelmed and 'bogged down' in theory and writing.
My line manager and wider team were always on hand to support me, and I'm very lucky to work in a company that really values learning.
My line manager and wider team were always on hand to support me, and I'm very lucky to work in a company that really values learning.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Yes.
Two of the apprenticeship modules were particularly useful.
Project Management - I developed skills in project delivery and management through using the structured methods taught in the course. For example I use GANTT charts not to track work streamlines and ensure I'm meeting deadlines.
Problem Solving - this modules was really useful for me as I learnt to look at problems in various ways, for example as opportunities to improve.
Two of the apprenticeship modules were particularly useful.
Project Management - I developed skills in project delivery and management through using the structured methods taught in the course. For example I use GANTT charts not to track work streamlines and ensure I'm meeting deadlines.
Problem Solving - this modules was really useful for me as I learnt to look at problems in various ways, for example as opportunities to improve.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
My programme had a very good flow, the modules were delivered in an order than made sense. I did not enjoy the group sessions as I found it was difficult to keep up with the tutor. My tutor also was not the easiest to get a hold of sometimes, which I found frustrating.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I received an abundance of support. My line manager always checked in with me during catch ups on how the apprenticeship was going. I had monthly catch ups with the Academy at my place of work (a team in HR). I was actively encouraged to use working hours to fulfil my apprenticeship commitments.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
The material provided was more than sufficient. My tutor as previously mentioned was a bit hit and miss. Sometimes she'd deliver a really good presentation on a module, and sometimes she had nothing prepared really and a 3 hour sessions would be a 10 minute chat. I wished my tutor was a bit more proactive with teaching/guidance.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
As previously mentioned the Problem Solving and Project Management modules were particularly useful in my role.
Project Management - I developed skills in project delivery and management through using the structured methods taught in the course. For example I use GANTT charts not to track work streamlines and ensure I'm meeting deadlines.
Problem Solving - this modules was really useful for me as I learnt to look at problems in various ways, for example as opportunities to improve.
Project Management - I developed skills in project delivery and management through using the structured methods taught in the course. For example I use GANTT charts not to track work streamlines and ensure I'm meeting deadlines.
Problem Solving - this modules was really useful for me as I learnt to look at problems in various ways, for example as opportunities to improve.
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
My work has an active group of networks which bring together various groups of people. I was a committee member on the LGBTQ+ Network and on my Teams Social Commitee where we'd organise socials, both virtual and in person. Gather ideas, share knowledge. I have met many people through networking at work,
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Civil Service to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The Civil Service prides itself on equality and diversity, it has a huge focus on continual development (whether through work experience, unofficial learning and structure academic courses - they fund degrees!). It's also a very safe environment, bullying is not tolerated and taken really seriously. Also there is a wicked pension scheme and no risk of redundancy!
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Civil Service?
Study up on the application process - it's a bit weird and backwards but it tries to make the recruitment process as fair as possible. There are behaviours and skills they look for in applications -it's just about getting your wording right and marketting yourself as best you can!
