Policy and Employee Relations Advisor Review
at Department for Education
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Human Resources
Manchester
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
3.8 /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
3.2/5
-
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
Working in the HR Policy and Employee Relations team, I am responsible for reviewing, updating and improving HR policies and guidance for the HR handbook. I also provide administrative support to various groups across HR/the department.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I enjoyed the chance to learn more about HR and it gave me a wider view on HR outside of the department also. I was able to carry out the apprenticeship during work time as we were allocated one day a week to focus on this. This helped me to keep a healthy work-life balance. It gave me some good foundations to work from.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
This job was a change of career for me and I was new to HR. The apprenticeship enabled me to gain a broad view of HR and was a good introduction to the field.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
I felt that at the start of the apprenticeship the process could have been explained a little clearer by the apprenticeship provider, however once I got into the course, it became clearer how it was structured and organised. Each model consisted of live workshops, followed by task activities and an assignment. There was then a final end point assessment which consisted of completing a relevant HR project related to your work.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
DfE are very supportive of apprenticeships as they provide specified time during work to complete it. My line manager supported me by managing my workload to take this into consideration. At DfE you are also employed as a grade rather than an apprentice so receive the same pay as other employees on the same pay grade whilst you complete your apprenticeship. There are also opportunities to consider further qualifications.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
You are allocated a tutor by the provider who you can email with any questions you have and who support you through the process. Workshops were delivered by different tutors and I found some of these were excellent and occasionally others were not to the same standard.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
Completing the apprenticeship helped to improve my confidence in a new field of work and gave me the introduction to HR that I needed. Completing the HR project at the end of the assessment really helps to apply the things you have learned and I was able to transfer these skills to my role.
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
There are many staff networks that you can join and social activities organised for those based in the same office.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Department for Education to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Completing an apprenticeship is a great way to join the civil service and there are many opportunities to develop your career once you start.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Department for Education?
Make sure you research the structure of DfE applications and use the STAR method to prepare responses to questions.
