Learning Specialist Review
at AO
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Insurance and Risk Management
Bolton, UK
Review Submitted: February 2023
Overall Rating
2.6 /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!
2.5/5
-
Overview of Role
1/5
-
Skills Development
2.6/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
3/5
My role is a learning specialist for an online retailer - I selected insurance as we sell insurance on our products and retail was not an option.
My job involves designing and delivering training inductions for new starters particularly within the contact centre andsales department. I also design and deliver further training to support the wider business in their roles.
My job involves designing and delivering training inductions for new starters particularly within the contact centre andsales department. I also design and deliver further training to support the wider business in their roles.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
2/5
I found the CIPD content interesting and compelling to read but ultimately there was ALOT of it so it was difficult to sit there and read it for hours on end. I did enjoy the calls where I got to speak to the rest of the cohort and talk about the content and where theyre up to.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
1/5
If this relates specifically to my apprenticeship then its a difficult one. My experience hasnt been fantastic ad our tutor was off sick from September until January so I didnt have any face to face support within those months. We had a couple of MS teams calls with tutors from other courses however most of the course was long elearning sessions with alot of reading on screen.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
1/5
I can't speak for how it is now - I think given that our tutor was unable to work (no reflection on her she was lovely and seemed incredibly supportive on the occasion I did meet her) meant there was not really any structure to the course. Myself and the rest of the cohort had to reach out and ask foe help otherwise we wouldn't have had any further contact from the provider its seems until out tutor was feeling better.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
My employer was fantastic and gave me all the time I needed, my line manager recommended I complete a level 5 course instead of level 3 which gave me an enormous amount of confidence. My boss was also very accommodating and helped me structure my calendar around the elearning I needed to complete.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
Again this would be an unfair judgement of the provider - I was only on the course for 4 months and I'm not leaving the business to pursue a better opportunity so I dont actually have any qualifications. My tutor has been supportive in the fact that they told me I could possibly pause my course and continue at a later date which is good to know.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
2/5
Again I can't really comment on this one as I haven't completed my course, I think I've developed my diary and time management skills through having to juggle a learning course and my day job with day to day meetings etc, but I have no qualification at this point.
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
At work I have been heavily involved in engagement for the last few years. Taking the office out of work during the pandemic, employing a lot of new staff and then bringing an almost new workforce back into the business means a lot of work was needed to engage employees again and bring back a fun culture to get everyone working together.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend AO to a friend?
No
Why?
We were given 2 weeks notice to go from hybrid working to being in the office 5 days a week. This does not work for me and my family. It also caused a huge upheaval for employees lives - we have readjusted to hybrid working to help with the cost of living ie cut down to one car, stopped spending too much on fuel etc and now the non competative wage means sadly it isnt worth being here when other companies are offering more money. The opportunities here have been great for me and the people are incredible but with this current economic climate I can't recommend AO.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to AO?
Work hard, be willing to accept that you will be asked to go above and beyond in your role. Thing change frequently and quickly and it can often feel like chaos - however if you put in the work you will be rewarded professionally, other companies love to see AO on your CV and although it may not be your ultimate goal to stay - its a great place to develop your skills to go on to other higher paying roles with other businesses
