Chartered Manager Degree Apprentice Review
at HMRC
Degree Apprenticeship
Business Management, Government
Nottingham
Review Submitted: March 2026
Overall Rating
4.9 /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
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Skills Development
4.8/5
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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:
5/5
The apprenticeship was not my primary role - I have continued with my apprenticeship through three separate positions, since my apprenticeship enabled me to progress my career whilst learning. I have acted as a Front Line Manager, Senior Operational Leader and People, Performance and Learning Manager so far in the duration of my programme. My roles all operated within the Operational Delivery Profession and involved leadership and management, staff training and development and strategic alignment. I have also undertaken various project and portfolio work involving HR management, project management as well as strategy, CI and budgeting and finance.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I am delighted by the opportunities the programme facilitated for me and have seen a tremendous impact to my leadership and management capability as I progress through the apprenticeship. I have received excellent support from my line mangers in all roles I undertook whilst on programme and the workplace facilitates regular off-the-job training enabling me to progress with my apprenticeship whilst continuing with my day job. The learning provider sub-contractor selected by HMRC offers an excellent learning offer and resources and I continue to learn a lot as I progress with the course. Since the same provider was used across the entirety of the Civil Service, this has further enabled me to network with other CMDA apprentices across the Civil Service nationwide.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have developed my leadership, management and communication skills enabling me to be more effective in my role and supporting me in progressing my career. I have also learnt about business finance, project management and operational strategy, which I had no prior experience in. This has helped me to develop better big-picture thinking and successfully transition to more senior and strategic roles.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
The programme is structured really well - the modules logically flow from one to the next and gradually shift focus from direct/line management, to more strategic outlooks and managing change as the programme progresses, supporting not only development of new skills but also behaviours and perspectives.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I have received excellent support from my employer - they have facilitated project and portfolio work enabling me to move beyond the scope of my role and demonstrate all relevant learning outcomes, provided effective management support and coaching/mentoring and are also enabling me to network with other apprentices on the cohort by contributing additional travel and subsistence costs enabling me to attend the university in person once-twice per month.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
I am quite satisfied with the support provided by my training provider - I have a dedicated apprenticeship tutor and very effective pastoral support from knowledgeable experts in various leadership and management areas. As I progressed through my programme, the quality of feedback continued to evolve and I am now receiving very constructive feedback, supporting me in preparing for the End Point Assessment at the end of this year.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
I have seen an incredible impact to my effectiveness as a leader compared with when I originally enrolled to the programme - I can better facilitate team formation, drive engagement through change, effectively manage attendance, conduct and performance and develop staff through training, mentoring and coaching, achieving excellent results. I have improved my qualification and negotiation skills and developed my personal effectiveness, better leveraging opportunities available to me through my apprenticeship to achieve career progression.
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
The programme affords me access to various additional networks and societies, including CMI Membership, the Apolitical network. I have regular engagement from the Central Apprenticeships Team and I have also recently taken up the role of the Apprentice Network Regional Lead for the East Midlands in my organisation.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend HMRC to a friend?
Yes
Why?
There are excellent learning and development opportunities and the support available is excellent. There is a genuine commitment to supporting staff career aspirations and the organisation offers plenty opportunities for progression.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to HMRC?
Make sure you review the Civil Service Success Factors and really demonstrate how you meet the requirements in the application. If possible, speak to people currently working in HMRC to revie your application and answer your questions. Consider actively pursuing apprenticeship opportunities (there are many and they pay the appropriate grade salary rather than apprenticeship minimum wage).
