HR & OD Apprentice Review
at Calderdale Council
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Human Resources
Halifax
Review Submitted: August 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 role was really diverse in terms of the areas of HR/OD that I worked on, but also the complexity and types of work.
On a day-to-day basis, my work was split between routine administrative tasks, larger independent research tasks, meetings with colleagues from across the organisation, and time spent on my qualification.
On a day-to-day basis, my work was split between routine administrative tasks, larger independent research tasks, meetings with colleagues from across the organisation, and time spent on my qualification.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I enjoyed every aspect of my apprenticeship. Despite joining during covid and exclusively working from home for the first 6 months, the team and the wider organisation did a great job of welcoming me and supporting me in my role. The CIPD Level 3 qualification that I gained was engaging and I received lots of support from my manager and colleagues throughout.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
During my apprenticeship I developed lots of brand new skills, such as digital skills through building electronic forms, organisation and time management skills through managing different projects at once and relationship building skills. I also learned new skills such as report and business case writing, analysing people data and networking.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
My apprenticeship was very well structured with regular milestones and check ins, both with my apprenticeship provider and with my manager. I was given freedom to structure my own study time and supported by my manager to protect that time to work on my apprenticeship qualification.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
The support I received from my manager, immediate colleagues and the organisational development team was amazing. I had regular 1:1s with my manager and regular apprenticeship reviews with a member of the organisational development team where I could raise any concerns I had with my training provider. Whenever I had any worries or concerns, the team were always there to help.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
As I did my apprenticeship during covid, all of my learning was done virtually which sometimes made it hard to get hold of people at college if I needed help. I had a few changes in development coach throughout my apprenticeship and although all were helpful and supportive, it was disruptive having to change coach each time.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
The content of my qualification was extremely relevant to my day-to-day role, meaning it improved my performance in every way. Completing the off the job log illustrated how much of my learning I was able to apply 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.)
4/5
Completing my apprenticeship during covid meant there were less opportunities available as there might have been previously due to working from home protocols and social distancing.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Calderdale Council to a friend?
Yes
Why?
My apprenticeship at Calderdale Council gave me the opportunity to enter in to a brand new career and gain a professionally recognised qualification. My team, the OD team and the wider organisation were supportive and committed to providing opportunity and uplifting apprentices and other early careers staff. I stayed on at Calderdale Council after my apprenticeship ended and have had a great career here so far.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Calderdale Council?
There are always people available to answer your questions or give you more information about the apprenticeship/intern/graduate opportunity you are interested in, so reach out for support.
