Private Secretary Review
at HMRC
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Customer Service
Liverpool
Review Submitted: May 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!
4.5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
4.2/5
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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 work as a private secretary to a deputy director in CCG. This involves a lot of admin type work such as prioritising urgent task/meetings, making the DD aware of current asks and deadlines and ensuring there is sufficient time to complete. I also take minutes in meetings, arrange travel, book meetings and many other tasks while working closely with senior stakeholders across the department to make sure everything is aligned.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I really enjoyed my programme as I developed and learnt new skills that I now use in my day to day life and job. The training providers where really supportive throughout and I moved roles/departments multiple times throughout which was taken into consideration and appropriate plans where put in place to accommodate.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I started my apprenticeship when I was new to the civil service and learned a lot about the CS itself through completing and researching for the assignments involved. I also learned many useful tools that I use in my role currently such as GANNT charts etc when planning projects. The apprenticeship helped with my confidence and communication which is essential in my role due to the amount of stakeholders I deal with daily.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
I found the system really good to see what modules needed doing when to keep me on track and it made it really easy to contact my learning coach when necessary. As for the structure, I did find some parts receptive but used this as an opportunity to see what I had learnt between each and update my answers.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
My managers were all really helpful in making sure I got my off the job hours each week and when there was absence in the team which made the difficult, the HMRC apprenticeship really helped in getting cover from elsewhere so I could stay on track and get the work done.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
My learning coach was super helpful throughout and was always available to have extra calls when needed. They would always provide constructive feedback on assignments and check in throughout the apprenticeship. When it come to my EPAs I had a few issues which meant I had to push them back but the assessor and my learning coach where very understanding and accommodating.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
Everything I learnt during my apprenticeship is relevant to my current role and many others roles. I use the information I learnt daily and I applied for a promotion towards the end of my apprenticeship which I was successful in and I think what I learnt during the apprenticeship and the examples it provided really helped me secure this 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.)
4/5
I recently joined a walking challenge through my role where teams throughout the civil service where competing to get the most steps and 'travel across the world'. We had a lot of fun doing this and it provided an opportunity to speak and get to know others in the department. They have re opened another one now which I have also joined.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend HMRC to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I really enjoy working for HMRC and the flexible working is perfect for me with kids. I feel I am listened to by my manager and opportunities to progress/learn new things are always available. You get to work with a wide range of people who all want the same outcome and work together well to do this.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to HMRC?
Make sure you are applying to something you really want to do and during the application use the STAR format and ensure you are looking at the success profiles as these are what applications/interviews are marked against! Keep an eye out for opportunities to learn new things and enjoy it!
