Criminal Investigator Review
at HMRC
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Croydon, Greater London
Review Submitted: May 2025
Overall Rating
3.1 /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!
2.5/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
2.8/5
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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:
3/5
I conduct criminal investigations into individuals and small businesses who I suspect have committed fraud and/or money laundering offences. I use criminal coercive powers to gather evidence, e.g. search of premises, interviews, and analyse this evidence.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
2/5
Far too much admin and duplication within the training platform we used (Aptem) - apparently this was the best of a bad bunch. Due to the nature of my work it was always prioritised over the apprenticeship which meant working long hours and over weekends to get all the work done. I had to push back to senior officers to get more time for my apprenticeship and this was not met well. My year was the first year of the new apprenticeship - comms from the training provider were poor and changed frequently. We often didn't know exactly what we were being asked to do. Practical training officers who were there to support were overworked. However, the learning was good (this was being adapted after each course in line with feedback from apprentices) and I received good support from some members of my team.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I've learned investigative interviewing techniques, how to write witness statements and various applications such as Production Order applications. I have developed my existing knowledge of the criminal law and know how to exercise the powers granted to me in a lawful and justifiable way.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
As above, the programme was new and a lot of the kinks still being worked out. Comms changed frequently, especially in relation to the end point assessment. I think it's gotten a lot better since I did my initial training but my job can't be taught in a classroom and so there is a huge amount to learn once you've completed your initial training and this can be overwhelming.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
2/5
Mixed - my practical training officer and line manager were very supportive and helped push back when I wasn't being given enough time to work on my apprenticeship. Higher ups were eager to get us all through quickly so that our utilisation improved and repeatedly said we'd be given the time we needed for the apprenticeship but this was often not the case.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
Regular comms came out (though these often changed previous guidance), they acted on feedback and improved the existing network of support. They were there if I needed them and were trying very hard to get it right but I think there wasn't enough of them.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
1/5
My practical training workbook had examples of most of the kind of tasks I do in my job so that was an important feature. However I don't think spending time filling out skills radars etc and breaking things down into knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) was useful. It doesn't help me day to day. All we needed was the practical training workbook as a portfolio of evidence to show we can do the job competently. The end point assessment did not assist me in any way and from feedback from others (and myself) I know that the quality of the independent assessors varied greatly and a lot of them didn't understand our job and that some of the KSBs didn't apply literally to the job so there were quite a few irrelevant questions. It added a lot of admin to an already busy role and I don't think it will be useful in the future as the qualification is not recognised by all law enforcement bodies in the UK.
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
Lots of civil service events and teams to join.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend HMRC to a friend?
No
Why?
Pay is poor for the work I do; HMRC is under funded and under staffed. Retention is a huge problem and over the years I've been here we've lost a lot of experienced officers which have not been replaced. The experience levels in teams has fallen dramatically and this puts a lot of pressure on newer officers as they don't have the support. Senior leadership have unrealistic expectations about the future of the role.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to HMRC?
Obviously it depends on which directorate within HMRC but if applying to a criminal team, be aware that the work load is tough and there's a lot of independent on the job learning with little support. I would consider corporate investigation roles instead - pay is higher, better benefits and less unsociable hours.
