Student Environmental Health Officer Review

Item: Student Environmental Health Officer at Barnsley Council
Rating: 4.6
Author: Anonymous

at Barnsley Council

Degree Apprenticeship

Environmental Science

Barnsley, South Yorkshire

Review Submitted: April 2025

Overall Rating

4.6 /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!

5/5 - Overview of Role

5/5 - Skills Development

4.4/5 - 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

My job role involves one day at Leeds Beckett University and four days in the office. It is split into four sections: housing, environmental protection, food safety and health and safety. I go out on visits to different premises such as takeaways or warehouses and collaborate different teams.

To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

5/5

I enjoy my programme to a large extent as it enables me to go to university and experience a full time job. Environmental Health interests me as it covers a large amount of topics and different areas so there is always something new to learn. I enjoy meeting new people in different teams and to hear their interests in Environmental Health. I like the balance of university work and the learning activities involved, but also the projects set at work.

Skills Development

Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

5/5

I have gained different types of communication skills such as speaking to clients on the phone because of a project i was set and also presenting to an audience. I have improved my research skills from assignments and also my teamwork skills from liaising with different teams and going on visits.

Structure and Support

How well organised/structured is your programme?

5/5

I believe the programme is organised to a large extent as the module handbooks support me by suggesting on the job learning activities which relate to the module. This increases my understanding as i can implement the information learnt in lectures to the workplace and different scenarios. Having a mentor has given me a lot of support as it has helped me to gain new connections within the council.

How much support do you receive from your employer?

5/5

I receive a lot of support from my employer such as getting access CIEH. I attend regular 1 to 1s which allows me to ask for any additional help or guidance. I have a mentor which supports me by looking at the module handbook to reach out to different teams so i can complete the on the job learning.

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

4/5

Leeds Beckett University provides resources such as module handbooks, the activity log, workplace trackers and provides the presentations from the lectures. I attend quarterly tripartite meetings with the University which allows me to express any concerns or worries.

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

4/5

There is suggested on the job learning activities such as visiting HMOs for the housing module which allows me to expand my knowledge in person. I am set with different assignments which allows me to research and critical think so it increases my skills. The information i learn at university supports me in the workplace as i have a good understanding when going on visits and shadowing an Environmental Health Officer.

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 have attended a Public Health event and i got invited a landlord event.

Recommendations & Advice

Would you recommend Barnsley Council to a friend?

Yes

Why?

Barnsley Council has a welcoming environment with positive employees. It has many benefits such as the amount of support available. It enables me to have a good work-life balance. I feel comfortable in the workplace and i enjoy my job.