Business Administration Apprentice Review
at NHS
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Business Operations
Truro
Review Submitted: August 2022
Overall Rating
4.2 /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
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
4/5
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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 involves being based at reception, greeting visitors, pointing them in the right direction, letting the executives know when visitors arrive if they're scheduled a meeting together. Also, I manage the Trust's retirement gifts process, so I organise the gifts for the retiree based on their eligibility to the criteria, then arrange for the manager to arrange the gifts to present them. I also manage resources and stationery in the office and send out orders for anything that we may need. I also manage the storage of resources ensuring it is all accessible.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
Honestly I thoroughly enjoy the programme, the work can be tough at times but it's all about finding balance and sometimes just pushing through it knowing it will all pay off. I admit the study work online with Lifetime I sometimes don't find all that engaging and some of their wording sometimes is as if they're trying to make it difficult for me, but I get around it.
I also feel like my recent taking on of the Medical Terminology course has hindered my progress, which I feel was caused by one of my weaknesses and that's taking on work when I probably shouldn't. In my head it seemed like it'd be a good qualification to have, and I didn't think much of it, but I've come to realise the workload can be challenging at times.
I also feel like my recent taking on of the Medical Terminology course has hindered my progress, which I feel was caused by one of my weaknesses and that's taking on work when I probably shouldn't. In my head it seemed like it'd be a good qualification to have, and I didn't think much of it, but I've come to realise the workload can be challenging at times.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
My communication skills and ability to work alongside others are definitely 2 skills that have developed in my time here. My confidence in communicating with others was quite lacking when I first started, but now I feel like I can comfortably communicate with most people I come across. I've also been able to develop on my organising skills, which naturally comes with the job, since it's important to keep everything where it needs to be and plan ahead to ensure the tasks you need to do are sorted and taken care of properly.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
The programme is pretty well organised, it all seems quite linear, but also in a way that I can easily go back and look through work I've previously completed. There's definitely been some issues with the site, but my Lifetime Trainer has mostly been responsive to the issues I've put forward and been good help on my course.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
My employer couldn't be any more helpful. It feels good knowing my Line Manager is looking out for me and always there to offer support if I need it. We've had regular meetings to catch up on how I'm getting on and they even had a meeting with me before a job interview I had coming up to assist with any questions I had or concerns beforehand.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
I receive a good amount of support from my training provider, though I feel a lot of it is voicing it saying If i need support to contact them, but it's not like my employer where they're just approaching me every now and then and checking up, it's only ever really in our meetings every couple months the training provider checks up, and whilst I do contact them to voice any concerns, sometimes it can take a little bit before I hear anything, but I do understand that they may be busy as I'm not the only apprentice.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
Honestly, there's been a few aspects that have proved to be useful, but personally, the support that the employer themselves have provided not to mention the training opportunities offered by the local college have felt more beneficial and come across as a lot more clear and easier to understand. Whether that's because it's not online and is actually learnt in person, I can't say for certain, but I've definitely felt more benefit through those at times.
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
At work there is often some extra-curricular activities mentioned that occur across the Trust, though I personally don't tend to partake. An example would be a party for all Trust staff, which I decided not to attend, although it got delayed anyway. Although there is training sessions put forward within the organisation by the local college, and those kind of activities / courses I try to sign myself up for as they're usually really useful.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend NHS to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The Royal cornwall hospitals NHS Trust is honestly a good organisation to work within. Everyone that I've worked with has been so supportive and friendly and generally all round positive experience.
However, I wouldn't necessarily recommend Lifetime Training, but I think that's just down to my preferential way of learning perhaps, because when I undergone training sessions with the college, I found them way more engaging and insightful, but again, I'm not sure if that just comes down to my way of learning really.
However, I wouldn't necessarily recommend Lifetime Training, but I think that's just down to my preferential way of learning perhaps, because when I undergone training sessions with the college, I found them way more engaging and insightful, but again, I'm not sure if that just comes down to my way of learning really.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to NHS?
When applying for RCHT, the recent news of operational pressures may scare you, but don't worry, the people working there are incredibly supportive and are all there to help you if you're stuck with anything, because at the end of the day, you're a team.
