Executive Officer Review
at Valuation Office Agency
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Data Analysis
Manchester
Review Submitted: March 2025
Overall Rating
3.9 /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
3.4/5
-
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
I work in the Information, Data and Analysis directorate. My work is primarily focused on building reports and dashboards and carrying out other information retrieval for operational colleagues. I use tools such as Power BI, Python and SQL.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
The Valuation Office Agency aspect of my programme has been perfect, they give me all the support I need to learn. The QA side has been good overall but definitely frustrating at times either with content that is too easy/dull or poor teaching.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Loads of new skills, I started from zero and now feel confident in using the following for data analysis activities: Power BI, Python, SQL. I have also been given a lot of opportunity to develop soft skills like networking, presentation and communication.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
2/5
The main problem with the structure of the programme is that by the time I am being taught how to do something by the apprenticeship provider, I have already learnt how to do it at a higher level through work alone.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
Lots of support, I am given all the time I need to complete any apprenticeship activities and actively encouraged to seek out additional learning opportunities too. My manager consistently checks in and ensures I have everything I need.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
My digital learning consultant at QA is very efficient, provides detailed answers to questions and pushes me to do my best possible work. Conversations could be more conversational, a lot of time is dedicated to less useful checkbox exercises but I appreciate that is beyond their control.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
2/5
The content is often too basic. I do learn some stuff, especially theoretical, through the training provider but my technical skills are rarely pushed through the content provided by the training provider. Primarily they have been useful revision/practice but they could be more than that.
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
Yes, I have been attending semi-frequent socials with other members of my directorate based in Manchester and have attended a couple of away days that have both been useful for networking. I have not necessarily explored the full extent of other opportunities.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Valuation Office Agency to a friend?
Yes
Why?
It has been a really positive, development-centric place to work. I have not come across a single negative individual. I have been given ample scope to push myself and develop my skills.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Valuation Office Agency?
Focus on your civil service behaviours, they are really important. I applied through GSS who placed me at VOA so it is worth exploring the opportunities available through GSS.
