Administration and PA Apprentice Review
at St. James's Place
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Finance
Cirencester
Review Submitted: October 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
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Overview of Role
4/5
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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:
4/5
My day to day activities include booking meetings for senior members of the Finance division and organising their calendars so meetings do not clash. I also update spreadsheets with the correct employee information and I make updates to the Finance structure charts for the department. I also book travel and hotels for any Finance members if they need to attend meetings at different SJP offices. I have created posters for Charitable Foundation events and made seating plans for divisional meetings. Every week, I make whereabouts spreadsheets for different teams in the division.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
To a large extent. I enjoy coming into the office and working with my colleagues, networking and learning new skills. I enjoy having the responsibility to set up and book meetings for employees and organising events.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I have learnt how to use new software eg Visio which I use to create structure charts and make seating plans for meetings. I have also learnt how to book meeting rooms from an employee's calendar. I have developed my software skills including using Teams and Outlook. I have also developed my organisational skills by inputting colour coding and folder systems into calendars and my emails.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
The programme is very well structured. The Early Careers Team provided me with all the information I needed and made me feel welcome in the induction week.
However, my daily tasks could be more structured in terms of having work available to me when I need it. I sometimes have to wait for my team to find work for me which can be quite boring and de-motivating; especially if tasks are easy to do and I can finish them quickly.
However, I have been given responsibilities and jobs that involve the whole Finance Division which has helped me meet new people.
However, my daily tasks could be more structured in terms of having work available to me when I need it. I sometimes have to wait for my team to find work for me which can be quite boring and de-motivating; especially if tasks are easy to do and I can finish them quickly.
However, I have been given responsibilities and jobs that involve the whole Finance Division which has helped me meet new people.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I receive a lot of support. The Early Careers Team were very welcoming and answered any questions I had. The induction week they set up for us was very useful and I got a deep insight into how SJP operate, how they make their money, their structure and their culture including the Charitable Foundation. The team have also set up bi-monthly peer group sections which allows the Apprentice cohort to get together and discuss any updates about our programme and qualifications.
I also receive support from my team when learning new software skills and they have always provided me with help if I need it.
I also receive support from my team when learning new software skills and they have always provided me with help if I need it.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
My training provider sent out emails containing details of our residential workshop dates where we would learn the content. However, information was limited and there was no detail. For example, they did not inform us of the timings of the workshops or what the dress code was. So I had to send quite a few emails asking these questions to gain the information I needed.
However, they have replied to my emails quickly and do seem confident that they will support us on our Apprenticeship journey.
However, they have replied to my emails quickly and do seem confident that they will support us on our Apprenticeship journey.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
It will allow me to expand my knowledge in this area and will help me learn and develop my skills and apply them in the workplace. This can help me become a more effective worker as I will be able to complete my work to a higher standard which will benefit my team and department.
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
I plan to attend the Finance divisional Christmas party which will give me the opportunity to meet new people within the Finance division.
I also plan to attend some upcoming Charitable Foundation Events and I have offered to help plan and organise some events aswell.
I also plan to attend some upcoming Charitable Foundation Events and I have offered to help plan and organise some events aswell.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend St. James's Place to a friend?
Yes
Why?
SJP is a very well-known and an internationally well-regarded company. Their community is very welcoming and friendly and I believe this job is the perfect way to start my career. They have a strong culture and Charitable Foundation which agrees with my moral compass and my team seem to really care about how I will develop throughout my SJP journey.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to St. James's Place?
Go to the apprenticeship face to face information evening as it will be a useful insight to learn about the apprenticeship scheme and the application process.
Start the application early, it is a lengthy process so you want to give yourself plenty of time to complete each stage.
Make sure you do research on SJP: what they sell to customers and how the organisation is structured. It is important to understand what SJP are passionate about eg the Charitable Foundation and their culture.
In interviews, remember to be yourself; it is an opportunity for SJP to gain an insight into your personality.
Start the application early, it is a lengthy process so you want to give yourself plenty of time to complete each stage.
Make sure you do research on SJP: what they sell to customers and how the organisation is structured. It is important to understand what SJP are passionate about eg the Charitable Foundation and their culture.
In interviews, remember to be yourself; it is an opportunity for SJP to gain an insight into your personality.
