Team Manager Review
at Thames Water
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Retail Manager
Swindon, Wiltshire
Review Submitted: January 2025
Overall Rating
4.4 /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
4.6/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
I manage and coach a team of 15 customer service agents in a contact center. Our role is to support customers with queries with their bills, I ensure they hit KPI targets, chair meetings, speak to customers regarding complaints and manager HR issues such as absences.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I find the learning engaging, a lot of it is self research but there are some workshops in which I have been able to learn through my peers as well as the trainer. Overall I am finding the experience enjoyable.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I have expanded my knowledge on coaching my team and have learnt new techniques to make it more effective. Also on my course I am learning about strategic and operation planning, which is the role I am hoping to work towards in my career.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
I am aware of my deadlines, getting support, and when one of the workshops was cancelled due to sickness I was contacted right away and given some seminar videos to watch which I found helpful. I regularly see my tutor and feel the structure is not overwhelming and well suited to my learning experience.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
My line manager has been incredibly supportive, in getting my exposure at work to support in my course, and allowing me time to do my course work in my work hours. Not only that, she has been my cheer leader in encouraging me to learn and work hard.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
My tutor has been supportive with the course and emotionally. I find her feedback on my assignments clear, and our conversations are always pleasant and productive.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
It has been helping me improve in my current role, I feel more confident and have learnt many new tactics and skills in people management.
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
There are some that an be done, in the role I do as it as very full on with constant calls, enrichment activities can be difficult, but a few times a year the company tries to arrange outings that we can go on with our friends and family as well as colleagues.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Thames Water to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Thames encourages you to learn, look after others and be yourself. I've never come across anyone in Thames that has made me feel unwelcome, and despite the hardship the company is dealing with at present, we remain positive and I feel cared for and listened to by my employer.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Thames Water?
Be yourself, be chatty, and be positive. We look for people skills and energy.
