Economist Review

Item: Economist at Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs
Rating: 3.8
Author: Anonymous

at Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Degree Apprenticeship

Business Operations

Carlisle

Review Submitted: April 2022

Overall Rating

3.8 /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!

3.5/5 - Overview of Role

4/5 - Skills Development

3.2/5 - 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

I am involved in the analysis of future trade agreements from an agricultural perspective. This involves representing the interests of farmers and consumers alongside government objectives. I attend meetings, undertake analysis, undertake corporate contributions and take part in mandatory and new training schemes to support my learning of economics, which I get time to do.

To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

3/5

I enjoy the programme as I think economics is a very interesting subject. However, its very time consuming and I am tired very often from the work load, which can be difficult to manage alongside work demands. I also feel like we can miss out on the social side and that we don’t meet with the uni or other apprentices in person enough

Skills Development

Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

4/5

I have developed my skill in excel and my basic understanding of what economics is. I get opportunity to use the knowledge I have picked up from my learning through the uni of Kent in my analysis. I have also improved my confidence and presentation skills and feel I am a lot more proactive now than. I was
.

Structure and Support

How well organised/structured is your programme?

2/5

I think it is generally well organised but the lecturers are not always great at telling us information about upcoming assessment. For example, last term, we got told the day before the contents of the exam which was not fair as we had not had time to plan our revision.

How much support do you receive from your employer?

4/5

I receive a lot of support from my employer - they are very flexible around my workload for uni alongside the demands of my job. They are very helpful in giving me extra time to study especially around exam season and I feel like my manager has a genuine interest in my programme

How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

3/5

I receive support but I feel like it is hard to approach the uni with questions and for support as we are almost entirely online. Also no one else seems to ask questions so studying with the uni can be a very difficult experience at times but I feel overal it’s good

How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

4/5

I feel so far it has been limited to basic supply and demand but I feel as I continue my apprenticeship (ie getting more experience in my job as well as learning more from the uni itself) that it will link up more but I do think there could be better linkage

Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)

3/5

I get involved in lots through work including coffee meetings which are informal professions network events. I am based in cumbria so it is hard to attend in person events but I would really like to attend more over the next year which could include social activities or taking part in sports events

Recommendations & Advice

Would you recommend Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs to a friend?

Yes

Why?

I think the department has a good work life balance and my team is very supportive. I am able to go for a walk if things get a bit much and I don’t feel like I am being micromanaged which is a huge win for me. They are supportive of me coming to London.

What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs?

I would say be yourself and think about in preparation of your interview about the skills and behaviours (success profile) which are available on the internet and how examples of things you have done in your life link to the STAR model (situation, task, action, result) as this is fundamental to doing well in a civil service interview

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