Economist Review

Item: Economist at Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs
Rating: 4.1
Author: Anonymous

at Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Degree Apprenticeship

Data Analysis

Bristol

Review Submitted: January 2024

Overall Rating

4.1 /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

4/5 - 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:

4/5

I provide analysis in excel or RStudio in response to requests from policy teams. . I complete qualitative research where applicable, in the form of analytical notes to policy and slide packs. I complete the admin behind our weekly team meetings and quality assure other analysts work to check for accuracy.

To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

4/5

I really enjoy my programme. The university element is challenging, which keeps me engaged. I do find that the university element can be rather time consuming, but my manger is flexible in allowing extra study time where required. My work is really engaging and topical; I feel like I make a real difference.

Skills Development

Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

4/5

I have learnt to effectively use excel to complete high-level, accurate analysis. This has given me the confidence to learn the coding language R;. The apprenticeship has taught me good office etiquette, such as how to conduct meetings, communicate efficiently, and manage mine, and others'; time efficiently. My team have given me the space and support to improve a lot of my skills.

Structure and Support

How well organised/structured is your programme?

5/5

The programme is well organised. Most of us take our study day on the same day of the week, and there is definitely synchronisation across each week, which helps to keep me in a good working routine. Lecturers are on hand to help us put when needed, and the university materials are given in advance to help us manage our time effectively.

How much support do you receive from your employer?

5/5

I feel incredibly supported by my employer. Not only were away days organised within my department to create an apprentice support network, but my line manager is encouraging of any opportunity that I wish to pursue. We keep in touch very often, and I also have regular catch ups with my higher manager.

How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

4/5

The University are very supportive. We have access to all student support services that full time students do. There is also access to drop ins with the senior tutor, and we have contacts for all lecturers that we are concerned with. It is made very clear where to go for extra support at University.

How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

3/5

I have not yet seen much application from university elements to my role, because they have not really overlapped just yet on the theory side. However, our first module was heavily excel based, which I would argue really helped my confidence when using excel at work, and enabled me to get ahead with excel.

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

Social activities and sports teams are available, more so in the London office than other offices. Some networking events occur across other offices too.