Chartered Manager Degree Apprentice Review
at First Response Finance Limited
Degree Apprenticeship
Marketing
Nottingham
Review Submitted: January 2022
Overall Rating
3.7 /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
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Overview of Role
3/5
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Skills Development
3.2/5
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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:
4/5
My role as a chartered manager degree apprentice is split into three main parts:
Day role: Consists of supporting dealer partners to supply finance to our customers as well as various projects to support and develop this.
University: I study various modules e.g. Leadership, Sales and Marketing etc
Apprenticeship: I have develop various knowledge skills and behaviours in order to reach chartered manager status
Day role: Consists of supporting dealer partners to supply finance to our customers as well as various projects to support and develop this.
University: I study various modules e.g. Leadership, Sales and Marketing etc
Apprenticeship: I have develop various knowledge skills and behaviours in order to reach chartered manager status
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
Overall, I very much enjoy the scheme. There is a great culture at FRF which focus on looking after its people whether that be customers, dealers or employees.
There is fantastic support from my team leader and mentor for both University and work, and I feel as though I am treated as a full-time employee despite being an 'apprentice'.
There is fantastic support from my team leader and mentor for both University and work, and I feel as though I am treated as a full-time employee despite being an 'apprentice'.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
I have developed various skills whilst being on the program. Particularly during the beginning when learning the core role and being involved in projects.
I feel the scheme could benefit from more rotation/push from the employer to vary apprentices experience in other departments so that they can continue develop throughout the course.
I feel the scheme could benefit from more rotation/push from the employer to vary apprentices experience in other departments so that they can continue develop throughout the course.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
The program itself is very well structured.
However, I feel that there is potentially a misalignment between the nature of the course being a 'chartered manager' course and the exposure you get to being a leader/manager is very limited on the most part in the organisation. I feel apprentices should get more opportunity to lead or at least develop a pathway for this to be an option post-apprenticeship. It must also be noted that the company is somewhat constarined in this due to the size of the organisation.
However, I feel that there is potentially a misalignment between the nature of the course being a 'chartered manager' course and the exposure you get to being a leader/manager is very limited on the most part in the organisation. I feel apprentices should get more opportunity to lead or at least develop a pathway for this to be an option post-apprenticeship. It must also be noted that the company is somewhat constarined in this due to the size of the organisation.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
The support I receive from my employer is superb.
Both my team leader and University mentor are very engaged in my program and regularly check in to see how I am getting on.
However, I think the general buy in from the wider company to support you becoming a leader/manager is relatively limited/misaligned to the purpose of the course.
Both my team leader and University mentor are very engaged in my program and regularly check in to see how I am getting on.
However, I think the general buy in from the wider company to support you becoming a leader/manager is relatively limited/misaligned to the purpose of the course.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
The support received from my training provider is everything I need.
We regularly speak to discuss how I am getting on with my apprenticeship portfolio and know who to contact should I need support.
My biggest issue is the inconsistency with marking University work i.e. some lecturers want a lot of detail around academic literature whereas some are less fussed. Needs to be more consistency to avoid the occasional unexpected poor grade which is really disheartening.
We regularly speak to discuss how I am getting on with my apprenticeship portfolio and know who to contact should I need support.
My biggest issue is the inconsistency with marking University work i.e. some lecturers want a lot of detail around academic literature whereas some are less fussed. Needs to be more consistency to avoid the occasional unexpected poor grade which is really disheartening.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
2/5
As discussed above, I feel there is a disconnect between the course and the day to day roles which apprentices perform.
With the course being 'chartered manager' you would expect there to be opportunity to lead and manage people and there isn't. Therefore, it can be difficult to integrate the knowledge into work when this is focused on being a better manager.
With the course being 'chartered manager' you would expect there to be opportunity to lead and manage people and there isn't. Therefore, it can be difficult to integrate the knowledge into work when this is focused on being a better manager.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
FRF has a very close culture which focuses on bringing people together.
Although there isn't extensive extra curricular groups etc, the communication throughout the organisation makes you feel part of something special.
The companies efforts to look after its staff can't be questioned if you are happy to live a relatively steady life.
Although there isn't extensive extra curricular groups etc, the communication throughout the organisation makes you feel part of something special.
The companies efforts to look after its staff can't be questioned if you are happy to live a relatively steady life.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend First Response Finance Limited to a friend?
Yes
Why?
FRF look after its staff and there is no question as to whether you are valued.
However, if you are looking for quick progression and exposure to being a manager whilst on the 'chartered manager' course, this may be difficult to get.
There is also a lack of expectation on what apprentices do post-apprenticeship. There needs to be a more robust process focused on progression if FRF want to retain apprentices post-apprenticeship.
However, if you are looking for quick progression and exposure to being a manager whilst on the 'chartered manager' course, this may be difficult to get.
There is also a lack of expectation on what apprentices do post-apprenticeship. There needs to be a more robust process focused on progression if FRF want to retain apprentices post-apprenticeship.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to First Response Finance Limited?
Really consider what it is you want to get out of the course.
If you are looking for comfortability/being looked after/well paid apprenticeship in quite often an operational role with the occasional rare exposure to management, then this is a fantastic course for you.
However, if you are looking for quick progression and exposure to managing people, you may find it difficult to find at FRFL due to the size of the organisation and its rigid management structure.
If you are looking for comfortability/being looked after/well paid apprenticeship in quite often an operational role with the occasional rare exposure to management, then this is a fantastic course for you.
However, if you are looking for quick progression and exposure to managing people, you may find it difficult to find at FRFL due to the size of the organisation and its rigid management structure.
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