Project manager - Brand & Marketing Review
at AO
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Marketing
Horwich
Review Submitted: February 2023
Overall Rating
2.7 /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!
3/5
-
Overview of Role
4/5
-
Skills Development
2.2/5
-
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
My role is a project manager so my day to day varies greatly as it depends what projects I am manager. In essence, I work in the brand team for AO and I am responsible for delivering large scale brand and marketing projects. These projects often span business wide with multiple stakeholders
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
2/5
I really enjoyed the learning part of my program as the workshops provided some useful skills that I have been able to apply to my role. However the final part of trying to finish my course has been a nightmare. I have been given 4 different tutors and now the company no longer exists so i still haven't been able to finish.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Yes, there are many skills that I have developed that have enhanced my day to day role. Some examples are; people management skills such as the difference between leading a team and managing a team, some visual management techniques to give easier project updates, how to understand my personality type and how I can use this to benefit my role, and many more.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
1/5
It's not very well organised at all. I spent most of the time having to chase my tutor for meetings, I got bounced between multiple tutors so there was no consistency at all. I still haven't been able to finish my end point assessment due to the lack of organised and the issues the organsiation seem to be having.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
My manager has been very supportive in letting me block some time out to finish elements of my course, he has attended relevant meetings with me and always wanted to keep up to date with my progress. The overall company have been trying to help as the middleman between me and the organisation, especially with all the issues.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
2/5
I have had some tutors which have been really supportive and have helped me get to where I am now. I think the issue sits with the overarching company itself (The Opportunity Group). They have now said they can longer provide the qualification when there are still multiple employees that need to finish the course.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
2/5
As mentioned previously, there are some skills that I have learned that have really helped me in my current role. As I haven't been able to officially finish the course and do the final project at the end I can't comment about the overall qualification helping me, hopefully I will get there.
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
Our company do aim to have a good culture, there are always social or sports group that are being set-up that you are able to get involved in. There aren't really any professional networking events, this would help if they could start to implement these as it would be good to know different people in the business.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend AO to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I really enjoy the work that I do and the team that I am in. There are always exciting projects in the pipeline and there are opportunities to develop. They are trying to bring back the company culture which is positive to see, and there are always many things to try and get involved in.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to AO?
Make sure you take the time to really understand the brand and the culture as this is essential for success in the company. There are always plenty of opportunities so make sure you always want to get involved and contribute as the people are what make the company really great.
