HR Services & Systems Manager Review
at Crosby Management Training Ltd
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Human Resources
Birmingham
Review Submitted: March 2026
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!
3.5/5
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Overview of Role
3/5
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Skills Development
3/5
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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
I am responsible for leading the management and continuous improvement of HR systems and reward processes across the organisation. The role ensures the effective delivery of core HR operations, with a strong focus on data integrity, reporting capability and process efficiency.
I oversee key areas including pay review implementation, reward administration, employee benefits and HR governance, ensuring compliance with internal policy and employment legislation. The role plays a central role in maintaining accurate workforce data and producing meaningful insights to support business decision-making.
Working closely with the Head of HR, I contribute to strategic HR initiatives and organisational change programmes, often taking ownership of key projects and system developments. The role requires strong stakeholder management, the ability to manage competing priorities and a proactive approach to identifying and implementing process improvements.
I oversee key areas including pay review implementation, reward administration, employee benefits and HR governance, ensuring compliance with internal policy and employment legislation. The role plays a central role in maintaining accurate workforce data and producing meaningful insights to support business decision-making.
Working closely with the Head of HR, I contribute to strategic HR initiatives and organisational change programmes, often taking ownership of key projects and system developments. The role requires strong stakeholder management, the ability to manage competing priorities and a proactive approach to identifying and implementing process improvements.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
2/5
My overall experience of the apprenticeship has been challenging due to persistent technology and communication issues, alongside a lack of flexibility and support from some tutors. There have been ongoing problems with platforms such as Microsoft Teams, including difficulties accessing sessions, chat functions not working reliably and key information being difficult to locate. This has at times made it unnecessarily stressful to stay up to date with course requirements and engage fully with learning activities.
In addition, the level of support has felt inconsistent. Some tutors have appeared more focused on meeting their own performance targets and programme KPIs than understanding the realities of balancing an apprenticeship alongside full-time work commitments. Requests for meetings or progress updates have at times felt overly pushy, with limited consideration given to workload pressures or the need for practical flexibility.
While there have been some positive elements, including useful content in parts of the programme, the overall experience has been impacted by organisational and communication shortcomings. Improvements in technology reliability, clearer information sharing and a more supportive, learner-focused approach from tutors would significantly enhance the experience for apprentices.
In addition, the level of support has felt inconsistent. Some tutors have appeared more focused on meeting their own performance targets and programme KPIs than understanding the realities of balancing an apprenticeship alongside full-time work commitments. Requests for meetings or progress updates have at times felt overly pushy, with limited consideration given to workload pressures or the need for practical flexibility.
While there have been some positive elements, including useful content in parts of the programme, the overall experience has been impacted by organisational and communication shortcomings. Improvements in technology reliability, clearer information sharing and a more supportive, learner-focused approach from tutors would significantly enhance the experience for apprentices.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
So far, the apprenticeship has provided opportunities to develop new skills and broaden my knowledge in key areas of HR practice. Modules such as wellbeing, advanced employment law and reward have been particularly valuable in supporting my professional development and helping me apply learning within my day-to-day role.
The programme has enabled me to build greater confidence in handling more complex people matters and has encouraged a more strategic approach to my work. However, as I am only halfway through the apprenticeship, it is still difficult to fully assess the overall impact and consistency of the experience.
While there have been positive learning outcomes, there are also areas where delivery and support could be improved to ensure apprentices can make the most of the programme alongside their work commitments. With stronger organisation and a more learner-focused approach, the apprenticeship has the potential to provide even greater value.
The programme has enabled me to build greater confidence in handling more complex people matters and has encouraged a more strategic approach to my work. However, as I am only halfway through the apprenticeship, it is still difficult to fully assess the overall impact and consistency of the experience.
While there have been positive learning outcomes, there are also areas where delivery and support could be improved to ensure apprentices can make the most of the programme alongside their work commitments. With stronger organisation and a more learner-focused approach, the apprenticeship has the potential to provide even greater value.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
2/5
The overall organisation of the apprenticeship programme has been disappointing, particularly in terms of flexibility and alignment with the realities of full-time employment. The structure of modules and associated work has not always felt well coordinated or “lean”, with limited consideration given to how learning activities align with workplace demands or peak business periods.
There have been consistently high volumes of both pre- and post-workshop assignments with tight turnaround expectations, which has at times felt unrealistic alongside day-to-day responsibilities. In addition, some tutors have taken a very directive approach, applying pressure around deadlines and progress without demonstrating sufficient understanding or support for individual circumstances.
As a result, the programme can feel overly rigid and administratively heavy rather than focused on meaningful development. Greater flexibility, improved planning of learning activities and a more supportive tutor approach would significantly enhance the overall experience for apprentices.
There have been consistently high volumes of both pre- and post-workshop assignments with tight turnaround expectations, which has at times felt unrealistic alongside day-to-day responsibilities. In addition, some tutors have taken a very directive approach, applying pressure around deadlines and progress without demonstrating sufficient understanding or support for individual circumstances.
As a result, the programme can feel overly rigid and administratively heavy rather than focused on meaningful development. Greater flexibility, improved planning of learning activities and a more supportive tutor approach would significantly enhance the overall experience for apprentices.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
Throughout my apprenticeship, my employer has provided a high level of support which has been instrumental in enabling me to balance the demands of the programme alongside my role. This has included dedicated protected learning time each week, allowing me to focus on coursework, preparation and development activities without impacting key business responsibilities.
I have also received ongoing guidance and encouragement from my manager and wider HR team, helping me to apply learning in a practical way and build confidence in more complex areas of practice. Where challenges have arisen with the course delivery or tutor expectations, my employer has been proactive in advocating on my behalf and ensuring a fair and reasonable approach that recognises the realities of full-time work commitments.
Importantly, there has been a strong emphasis on wellbeing, with open conversations around workload, pressure and priorities. This supportive environment has helped me remain engaged with the apprenticeship and continue progressing in my professional development.
I have also received ongoing guidance and encouragement from my manager and wider HR team, helping me to apply learning in a practical way and build confidence in more complex areas of practice. Where challenges have arisen with the course delivery or tutor expectations, my employer has been proactive in advocating on my behalf and ensuring a fair and reasonable approach that recognises the realities of full-time work commitments.
Importantly, there has been a strong emphasis on wellbeing, with open conversations around workload, pressure and priorities. This supportive environment has helped me remain engaged with the apprenticeship and continue progressing in my professional development.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
2/5
The level of support received from the tutor and wider training provider has been inconsistent and, at times, frustrating. While there have been some helpful interactions, overall communication has lacked clarity and responsiveness, making it difficult to feel fully supported throughout the programme.
At points, the approach has felt overly focused on meeting programme requirements and performance measures rather than understanding the individual needs of apprentices who are managing significant workplace responsibilities alongside their studies. Requests for updates and meetings have sometimes felt pressurised, with limited flexibility or practical guidance offered to help manage workload effectively.
A more learner-centred approach, with clearer communication, realistic expectations and proactive support, would greatly improve the experience and help apprentices feel more confident and engaged in their development.
At points, the approach has felt overly focused on meeting programme requirements and performance measures rather than understanding the individual needs of apprentices who are managing significant workplace responsibilities alongside their studies. Requests for updates and meetings have sometimes felt pressurised, with limited flexibility or practical guidance offered to help manage workload effectively.
A more learner-centred approach, with clearer communication, realistic expectations and proactive support, would greatly improve the experience and help apprentices feel more confident and engaged in their development.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
Undertaking a Level 7 HR qualification has supported me in performing more effectively in my role by strengthening my strategic perspective and critical thinking skills. The programme has encouraged me to move beyond purely operational delivery and consider the wider organisational context when making decisions or recommending approaches.
It has enhanced my ability to analyse complex people issues, evaluate different solutions and apply evidence-based thinking to HR practice. This has been particularly valuable in areas such as reward, employee relations and organisational development, where a more strategic and commercially aware mindset is required.
Overall, the qualification is helping me build confidence in contributing at a higher level, influencing stakeholders and aligning HR activity more closely with business objectives.
It has enhanced my ability to analyse complex people issues, evaluate different solutions and apply evidence-based thinking to HR practice. This has been particularly valuable in areas such as reward, employee relations and organisational development, where a more strategic and commercially aware mindset is required.
Overall, the qualification is helping me build confidence in contributing at a higher level, influencing stakeholders and aligning HR activity more closely with business objectives.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
3/5
I have opportunities to take part in a range of social and team-based activities at work, including fundraising events, sports initiatives and wider team engagement activities. I am able to get involved in these and do participate where possible, which helps support team connection and overall workplace wellbeing.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Crosby Management Training Ltd to a friend?
No
Why?
I would be unlikely to recommend the training provider to a friend due to the challenges I have experienced around organisation, communication and the overall level of learner support. At times, the programme has felt inflexible and overly focused on administrative requirements and performance targets rather than the individual development needs of apprentices.
Technology issues, high volumes of assignments with tight deadlines and a pressurised tutor approach have made it difficult to balance the apprenticeship alongside full-time work responsibilities. While there are positive aspects to the content itself, the overall learner experience would need to be more supportive, responsive and better aligned to workplace realities for me to confidently recommend the provider to others.
Technology issues, high volumes of assignments with tight deadlines and a pressurised tutor approach have made it difficult to balance the apprenticeship alongside full-time work responsibilities. While there are positive aspects to the content itself, the overall learner experience would need to be more supportive, responsive and better aligned to workplace realities for me to confidently recommend the provider to others.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Crosby Management Training Ltd?
If applying to this training provider, I would advise future apprentices to be prepared for a structured programme with significant independent learning and assignment requirements. Strong time management and organisation skills are essential, as there can be high expectations around deadlines and engagement alongside full-time work commitments.
It would also be beneficial to have open conversations with your employer from the outset about protected learning time, workload planning and the level of support you may need throughout the programme. Being proactive in asking questions, clarifying expectations and keeping track of key information will help you stay on top of requirements.
Finally, maintaining a focus on wellbeing and setting realistic boundaries is important. While the programme offers valuable learning opportunities, ensuring you have the right support network in place — both within your workplace and personally — can make a significant difference to your overall experience and success.
It would also be beneficial to have open conversations with your employer from the outset about protected learning time, workload planning and the level of support you may need throughout the programme. Being proactive in asking questions, clarifying expectations and keeping track of key information will help you stay on top of requirements.
Finally, maintaining a focus on wellbeing and setting realistic boundaries is important. While the programme offers valuable learning opportunities, ensuring you have the right support network in place — both within your workplace and personally — can make a significant difference to your overall experience and success.
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