Early Careers Apprenticeship Coordinator Review
at Marston Holdings Limited
Degree Apprenticeship
Business Management, Business Operations
Rochdale
Review Submitted: March 2026
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
In my role within the Early Careers team, I support the coordination, promotion, and ongoing management of apprenticeship programmes across the business. On a day-to-day basis, this involves working closely with apprentices, managers, and external training providers to ensure programmes run smoothly and apprentices receive the support they need throughout their journey.
My responsibilities include organising apprentice briefing sessions, conducting regular catch-ups with apprentices, coordinating development days to promote apprenticeship opportunities, and supporting recruitment and engagement activities. I also manage key administrative processes such as maintaining trackers, updating programme documentation, analysing apprenticeship data, and ensuring compliance with funding and programme requirements.
Alongside this, I contribute to wider Early Careers initiatives, including National Apprenticeship Week planning, internal communications, and creating resources such as prospectuses and case studies to promote apprenticeship pathways. The role allows me to develop strong organisational, communication, and stakeholder management skills while supporting the growth and development of early talent within the organisation.
My responsibilities include organising apprentice briefing sessions, conducting regular catch-ups with apprentices, coordinating development days to promote apprenticeship opportunities, and supporting recruitment and engagement activities. I also manage key administrative processes such as maintaining trackers, updating programme documentation, analysing apprenticeship data, and ensuring compliance with funding and programme requirements.
Alongside this, I contribute to wider Early Careers initiatives, including National Apprenticeship Week planning, internal communications, and creating resources such as prospectuses and case studies to promote apprenticeship pathways. The role allows me to develop strong organisational, communication, and stakeholder management skills while supporting the growth and development of early talent within the organisation.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I really enjoy my Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (CMDA) programme. It provides a great balance between academic learning and practical experience, allowing me to apply what I learn at university directly to my role within the Early Careers team. The course covers a wide range of topics such as leadership, project management, organisational behaviour, and strategic thinking, which are all highly relevant to my day-to-day responsibilities.
I particularly value the opportunity to reflect on my work and link it to management theory, as it helps me develop a deeper understanding of how organisations operate and how effective leadership can support people and performance. The programme is both challenging and rewarding, and it has helped me build confidence, improve my professional skills, and develop a strong foundation for my future career in management.
I particularly value the opportunity to reflect on my work and link it to management theory, as it helps me develop a deeper understanding of how organisations operate and how effective leadership can support people and performance. The programme is both challenging and rewarding, and it has helped me build confidence, improve my professional skills, and develop a strong foundation for my future career in management.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Throughout my programme, I have developed a range of new skills while also strengthening existing ones within my role in the Early Careers team. My confidence has grown significantly, particularly when communicating with apprentices, managers, and external training providers. I regularly lead apprentice briefing sessions, organise development events, and hold catch-ups with apprentices, which has helped improve my presentation, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
I have also developed strong people and relationship-building skills by supporting apprentices throughout their programmes and working closely with colleagues across the business. In addition, my role has helped me strengthen my organisation, time management, and problem-solving abilities, as I manage multiple activities such as coordinating sessions, maintaining trackers, analysing data, and supporting early careers initiatives while balancing my university studies.
Overall, both my role and the CMDA programme have helped me grow professionally and personally, giving me the confidence and skills to take on more responsibility and contribute to the development of apprentices and early careers across the organisation.
I have also developed strong people and relationship-building skills by supporting apprentices throughout their programmes and working closely with colleagues across the business. In addition, my role has helped me strengthen my organisation, time management, and problem-solving abilities, as I manage multiple activities such as coordinating sessions, maintaining trackers, analysing data, and supporting early careers initiatives while balancing my university studies.
Overall, both my role and the CMDA programme have helped me grow professionally and personally, giving me the confidence and skills to take on more responsibility and contribute to the development of apprentices and early careers across the organisation.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
My programme is very well organised and structured, with a clear balance between university learning and workplace experience. The modules are planned in a way that allows me to gradually build knowledge and apply what I learn directly to my role. Assignment deadlines and expectations are clearly communicated, which helps me stay organised and manage my time effectively alongside my work responsibilities.
I also feel well supported throughout the programme. The lecturers and support staff are approachable and provide helpful guidance when needed, and there are regular opportunities to ask questions and discuss progress. This structure has made it easier to stay on track with both my academic work and professional development, ensuring I am able to get the most out of the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship.
I also feel well supported throughout the programme. The lecturers and support staff are approachable and provide helpful guidance when needed, and there are regular opportunities to ask questions and discuss progress. This structure has made it easier to stay on track with both my academic work and professional development, ensuring I am able to get the most out of the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I receive a very high level of support from my employer throughout my apprenticeship. My manager is extremely supportive and always encourages my development, both within my role and through my university studies. They make sure I have dedicated off-the-job (OTJ) training time to focus on my coursework and learning, which really helps me balance my work responsibilities with the academic side of the programme.
I also receive ongoing guidance, regular check-ins, and opportunities to take on new responsibilities that support my development. This supportive environment has made a big difference to my experience, as I feel encouraged to grow, ask questions, and apply what I learn from my CMDA programme directly into my role.
I also receive ongoing guidance, regular check-ins, and opportunities to take on new responsibilities that support my development. This supportive environment has made a big difference to my experience, as I feel encouraged to grow, ask questions, and apply what I learn from my CMDA programme directly into my role.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
I receive a high level of support from my training provider while working towards my qualification. The lecturers are knowledgeable, approachable, and always willing to provide guidance if I have any questions about the course content or assignments. The teaching is well structured, and the modules are delivered in a way that makes it easy to understand and apply the learning to my role.
There is also clear communication around deadlines, expectations, and available resources, which helps me stay organised and on track. When additional support is needed, the training provider is responsive and provides helpful feedback to support my development. Overall, the support provided has been very valuable in helping me progress confidently through my Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship.
There is also clear communication around deadlines, expectations, and available resources, which helps me stay organised and on track. When additional support is needed, the training provider is responsive and provides helpful feedback to support my development. Overall, the support provided has been very valuable in helping me progress confidently through my Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
My qualification has been very helpful in supporting me to perform better in my role. The Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship covers a range of topics such as leadership, communication, project management, and organisational behaviour, which are all highly relevant to my day-to-day responsibilities within the Early Careers team.
The programme encourages me to reflect on my work and apply management theories to real workplace situations, which has helped me approach tasks more strategically and confidently. It has also improved my problem-solving, communication, and organisational skills. Being able to link my academic learning directly to my role has made the programme very valuable and has supported my development as a professional within the business.
The programme encourages me to reflect on my work and apply management theories to real workplace situations, which has helped me approach tasks more strategically and confidently. It has also improved my problem-solving, communication, and organisational skills. Being able to link my academic learning directly to my role has made the programme very valuable and has supported my development as a professional within the business.
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
There are a wide range of extra-curricular activities and initiatives available to get involved in at my workplace. There are opportunities to take part in volunteering activities, apprenticeship and early careers events, and professional networking opportunities such as industry receptions and celebrations, including the 5% Club Celebration Reception. These events provide a great opportunity to meet colleagues from across the organisation and learn more about the wider early careers community.
The company also promotes wellbeing initiatives and offers a variety of employee benefits that support a positive work–life balance. These include family-friendly benefits and schemes such as Cycle to Work. Overall, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved beyond day-to-day work, which helps create a supportive and engaging working environment.
The company also promotes wellbeing initiatives and offers a variety of employee benefits that support a positive work–life balance. These include family-friendly benefits and schemes such as Cycle to Work. Overall, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved beyond day-to-day work, which helps create a supportive and engaging working environment.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Marston Holdings Limited to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I would definitely recommend Marston Holdings to a friend. It is a supportive organisation that invests in employee development, particularly through apprenticeships and early careers opportunities. There are clear opportunities to learn, gain new skills, and progress within the business. I have also found the culture to be very positive, with supportive managers and colleagues who encourage development and provide guidance when needed. The company also offers a range of benefits and initiatives that support wellbeing and work–life balance, which makes it a great place to work and grow professionally.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Marston Holdings Limited?
My advice would be to be open to learning and willing to take on new opportunities. Apprenticeships and early careers roles provide a great chance to develop both professionally and personally, so it’s important to show enthusiasm and a willingness to grow. I would also recommend asking questions, getting involved in different initiatives, and making the most of the support available from managers and colleagues. Being proactive and showing interest in the wider business can really help you get the most out of your experience.
