Reward Associate Review
at Group 1 Automotive
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Human Resources
Newcastle upon Tyne
Review Submitted: May 2025
Overall Rating
5 /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
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
5/5
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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:
5/5
During my CIPD Level 3 qualification, I was employed as a People Services Administrator. In this role, I supported a wide range of HR functions, including, onboarding, training administration, and employee record management. I also played a key role in supporting HR-related queries from employees and managers, ensuring a consistent and professional service across the business.
Towards the end of my qualification, I progressed into a new role as a Reward Associate. This role focuses on analysis, and administration of compensation and benefits processes. My day-to-day responsibilities include supporting salary benchmarking, assisting with pay reviews and proposals, producing reward-related reports, and helping to maintain the accuracy of our reward data. I also work closely with the wider HR and Payroll teams to ensure alignment and clarity in areas such as commission schemes, benefits, and policy updates.
Towards the end of my qualification, I progressed into a new role as a Reward Associate. This role focuses on analysis, and administration of compensation and benefits processes. My day-to-day responsibilities include supporting salary benchmarking, assisting with pay reviews and proposals, producing reward-related reports, and helping to maintain the accuracy of our reward data. I also work closely with the wider HR and Payroll teams to ensure alignment and clarity in areas such as commission schemes, benefits, and policy updates.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I’ve really enjoyed the CIPD Level 3 apprenticeship and found it both rewarding and valuable. It gave me a structured way to build my knowledge of core HR principles and apply what I was learning directly to my role at Group 1 Automotive. Being able to relate the content to real-life scenarios made the learning more meaningful and helped me see the impact of effective people practices.
While balancing study with full-time work was sometimes challenging, I appreciated the flexibility of the programme and the support available throughout. I particularly enjoyed the modules that focused on employee experience and employment law, as they deepened my understanding and sparked my interest in areas I now engage with more in my day-to-day work.
Overall, the programme gave me more confidence in my abilities and a clearer sense of how I’d like to develop my career in HR. It’s been a positive experience that I’m really proud to have completed.
While balancing study with full-time work was sometimes challenging, I appreciated the flexibility of the programme and the support available throughout. I particularly enjoyed the modules that focused on employee experience and employment law, as they deepened my understanding and sparked my interest in areas I now engage with more in my day-to-day work.
Overall, the programme gave me more confidence in my abilities and a clearer sense of how I’d like to develop my career in HR. It’s been a positive experience that I’m really proud to have completed.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Yes, throughout the course of my apprenticeship, I developed both new and existing skills in several key areas. Firstly, I gained a deeper understanding of the organisation’s structure, people processes, and HR systems, which has helped me to see how different functions align and contribute to broader business objectives.
An area of development has been my ability to build and maintain professional relationships across departments. I’ve become more confident in engaging with colleagues at different levels, whether supporting line managers with HR queries or collaborating with Payroll and wider People Services teams on shared processes.
I also improved my communication skills, particularly in writing clearly and professionally in the context of employee correspondence. Time management and prioritisation have been another area of growth, especially when balancing work responsibilities with assignment deadlines.
Additionally, I strengthened my analytical skills through exposure to reward data and reporting tasks, which involved reviewing salary trends and supporting with pay-related insights. Overall, the qualification has enhanced both my confidence and capability in my HR role.
An area of development has been my ability to build and maintain professional relationships across departments. I’ve become more confident in engaging with colleagues at different levels, whether supporting line managers with HR queries or collaborating with Payroll and wider People Services teams on shared processes.
I also improved my communication skills, particularly in writing clearly and professionally in the context of employee correspondence. Time management and prioritisation have been another area of growth, especially when balancing work responsibilities with assignment deadlines.
Additionally, I strengthened my analytical skills through exposure to reward data and reporting tasks, which involved reviewing salary trends and supporting with pay-related insights. Overall, the qualification has enhanced both my confidence and capability in my HR role.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
Overall, I found the programme to be well organised and clearly structured. Each unit had a clear focus with defined learning outcomes, and the resources were easy to access and follow. The layout of the course helped me plan my time effectively and understand what was expected at each stage.
There was a good balance between theory and practical application, which made the content easier to relate to my work. The feedback on assignments was timely and constructive, which helped me to improve as I progressed.
There was a good balance between theory and practical application, which made the content easier to relate to my work. The feedback on assignments was timely and constructive, which helped me to improve as I progressed.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I received excellent support from my employer throughout my apprenticeship. Group 1 Automotive was understanding of my study commitments and allowed me the flexibility to balance work and learning. My line manager and colleagues were supportive in providing time for study and the opportunity to apply what I was learning in my day-to-day tasks.
As I transitioned into my new role as a Reward Associate, the company’s encouragement helped me continue to develop my skills and knowledge. The team regularly checked in on my progress and offered practical guidance, which was incredibly helpful. Having this level of support made a big difference in my ability to complete the programme successfully.
As I transitioned into my new role as a Reward Associate, the company’s encouragement helped me continue to develop my skills and knowledge. The team regularly checked in on my progress and offered practical guidance, which was incredibly helpful. Having this level of support made a big difference in my ability to complete the programme successfully.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
I received strong support from my training provider throughout. I had regular calls, which included both group discussions and one-on-one sessions, allowing me to ask questions and clarify any areas of uncertainty. The group discussions were particularly valuable, as they offered opportunities to learn from the experiences of others on the same programme.
In addition to the calls, the training provider offered accessible resources and clear guidance on assignments, which helped me stay on track. The provider was responsive to my queries and provided constructive feedback on my work, which helped me to refine my understanding and improve my assignments. Overall, their support was instrumental in ensuring I could complete the qualification with confidence.
In addition to the calls, the training provider offered accessible resources and clear guidance on assignments, which helped me stay on track. The provider was responsive to my queries and provided constructive feedback on my work, which helped me to refine my understanding and improve my assignments. Overall, their support was instrumental in ensuring I could complete the qualification with confidence.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
The CIPD Level 3 qualification has significantly enhanced my ability to perform in my role, particularly in areas related to HR processes and reward. Through the programme, I gained a deeper understanding of HR practices, employment law, and the importance of organisational culture—knowledge that I could immediately apply to my day-to-day tasks.
The qualification has also helped me develop a more strategic approach to my work. The insights I gained from the course enabled me to approach challenges with more confidence and a clearer understanding of best practices. Additionally, the opportunity to discuss real-world HR issues with both peers and the training provider has broadened my perspective, making me more adaptable in my role.
The qualification has also helped me develop a more strategic approach to my work. The insights I gained from the course enabled me to approach challenges with more confidence and a clearer understanding of best practices. Additionally, the opportunity to discuss real-world HR issues with both peers and the training provider has broadened my perspective, making me more adaptable in 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.)
5/5
Yes, an initiative is the volunteering day, where employees are given the opportunity to volunteer for a cause of their choice, allowing them to give back to the community and foster a sense of social responsibility.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Group 1 Automotive to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Yes, I would recommend Group 1 Automotive to a friend. The company offers a supportive work environment with opportunities for growth and development, as well as initiatives like volunteering days that promote social responsibility. The culture is inclusive, and there's a strong emphasis on teamwork and collaboration. It's a great place for someone looking to develop their career while making a positive impact.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Group 1 Automotive?
I would advise others applying to Group 1 Automotive to be proactive and show a genuine interest in the company’s values - integrity, transparency, professionalism, teamwork, and respect. It’s important to be adaptable and open to new challenges, as the company offers opportunities for personal and professional growth. Taking the time to understand the company’s culture and how you can contribute to it will help you stand out during the application process.
