Colleague Communications Apprentice Review
at Sage (UK) Ltd
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Information Technology, Business Operations, Marketing
London, UK
Review Submitted: May 2023
Overall Rating
4.3 /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
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
4/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
As a Colleague Communications Apprentice my day begins with uploading any company news/videos/insights/updates on our global intranet. From this, I help monitor the analytics and data we get from that including views, reactions and general engagement. I also work closely with the Cyber Security and OGC teams supporting them engage colleagues by using different communications and channels to get different messages across to colleagues, as well as engaging them with any actions that may need to be taken from. As an apprentice, I've also been able to shadow various members of my team gaining further insight of the business and different roles/responsibilities within Corporate Affairs.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
My apprenticeship has enabled me to learn all about data and analytics, a topic I was completely new to when I started. I'm confident it will support me hugely throughout my career especially as understanding data is currently a sought after skill.
As a communications apprentice, the only thing that made the programme slightly less enjoyable was that I struggles to relate the apprenticeship content to my role. Most of the tasks were based around context, for example using datsets internally to show different skills on excel. Whilst Colleague Communications use channel data, I found it was usually different to the numerical (typically sales) data used in my apprenticeship. This meant some of the excel formulas were harder to used in the context I had.
As a communications apprentice, the only thing that made the programme slightly less enjoyable was that I struggles to relate the apprenticeship content to my role. Most of the tasks were based around context, for example using datsets internally to show different skills on excel. Whilst Colleague Communications use channel data, I found it was usually different to the numerical (typically sales) data used in my apprenticeship. This meant some of the excel formulas were harder to used in the context I had.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I began my apprenticeship at Sage straight from secondary school, so everything I have learnt has been new. I loved English at school and have been able to develop that, especially through writing, understanding it within workplace and real-world context. Through my apprenticeship I've learnt all about data and measurement and how data drives decision making in business, combined with my communications role I've learnt the importance of data storytelling and helping people understand what data means in order to support business growth.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
My apprenticeship with Multiverse had incredibly responsive, approachable coaches so this was usually easily resolved but as a new course there were a few issues around the organisations of upcoming content. This meant it was a little bit difficult to understand what was needed by when at times, but it really helped me develop my personal time management skills.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
Sage are incredibly supportive, my team helped me to work on projects that supported my apprenticeship, meaning I could show the relevant skills in my epa and portfolio. The Early Careers team were also really supportive, enabling me to comfortably talk about my apprenticeship and ask any questions that I had.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
My coaches at Multiverse were incredibly responsive when I had any questions, helping explain what was needed for the applicable project. For anything I needed some extra support with, they also recommended external resources that other apprentices had found helpful. For example, I struggled to understand a couple of Excel formulas where my coaches found short video tutorials or broken down step-by-steps to follow.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
Understanding data, data storytelling and a good understanding of Excel are skills I find myself using almost daily. I've been able to create organisational spreadsheets, budget trackers through Excel, and been able to support my team by understanding what drives colleague engagement by looking at the channel data Colleague Communications track.
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
As an apprentice I've found I can build my understanding by collaborating and gaining insight from other teams, whether that be by connecting with other apprentices or supporting the Early Careers team with events. There's also the option to use 5 days a year to volunteer and support Sage Foundation where there are various opportunities to support charities.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Sage (UK) Ltd to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I've had so many opportunities to learn and grow with Sage that I never would've had in the four walls of a classroom and met people as keen for me to learn as I am. Especially so early into my career, I would highly recommend Sage to anyone else in my position.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Sage (UK) Ltd?
I found that doing a little bit of prior research of Sage before I applied (especially at the interview stage!) was really helpful and gave me some added support. You don't need to be fluent in Sage but understanding what they stand for, who they are and even how their values and goals align with your own is really helpful. For example, if you're passionate about volunteering have a look at Sage Foundation.
