Operations Degree Apprentice Review
at Vertu Motors
Degree Apprenticeship
Business Operations
Newcastle upon Tyne
Review Submitted: April 2026
Overall Rating
4.4 /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
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
I work as an Employee Relations Case Manager, providing support on a wide range of ER matters, including disciplinaries, grievances, absence and capability, welfare cases, and flexible working requests. I advise and support managers to ensure issues are handled fairly, consistently, and in line with company policy and UK employment law.
My role involves managing complex and sensitive cases, drafting correspondence and outcome letters, coaching managers to chair processes, and engaging directly with employees where personal or wellbeing issues are involved. I also act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, ensuring decisions are well‑reasoned, legally robust, and appropriately documented.
My role involves managing complex and sensitive cases, drafting correspondence and outcome letters, coaching managers to chair processes, and engaging directly with employees where personal or wellbeing issues are involved. I also act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, ensuring decisions are well‑reasoned, legally robust, and appropriately documented.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I thoroughly enjoyed my degree apprenticeship. It allowed me to combine academic learning with real, hands‑on experience, which significantly supported my professional development. Being able to apply theory directly to my role has helped deepen my understanding and made the learning feel relevant and meaningful.
Overall, the programme was challenging but very rewarding, and it has played a key role in building my confidence, skills, and long‑term career aspirations within HR.
Overall, the programme was challenging but very rewarding, and it has played a key role in building my confidence, skills, and long‑term career aspirations within HR.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I developed a number of new skills and strengthened existing ones through my degree apprenticeship. In particular, I built strong professional judgement, confidence in decision‑making, and a deeper understanding of HR and employment law. I also further developed my communication skills, especially when handling sensitive and complex situations, and improved my ability to manage competing priorities effectively.
Overall, the programme helped me translate academic learning into practical skills that I use daily in my role, supporting both my professional growth and confidence.
Overall, the programme helped me translate academic learning into practical skills that I use daily in my role, supporting both my professional growth and confidence.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
Overall, the programme was reasonably well organised. Vertu were a very supportive employer throughout, with clear expectations, strong on‑the‑job structure, and consistent guidance throughout the apprenticeship. This made it easier to apply my learning in a practical and meaningful way.
However, there has been some room for improvement on the university side, particularly around consistency, communication, and structure of teaching and assessment. At times, clearer guidance and better organisation would have helped support the learning experience more effectively.
However, there has been some room for improvement on the university side, particularly around consistency, communication, and structure of teaching and assessment. At times, clearer guidance and better organisation would have helped support the learning experience more effectively.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I received a great level of support from Vertu. Throughout my degree apprenticeship, I was lucky enough to have strong guidance and encouragement, from managers who were supportive of both my development and the time required for study. There was a clear structure in place to help me balance work and academic commitments, and I always felt supported to apply my learning in my role.
Overall, this support was a key factor in making the apprenticeship a positive and successful experience.
Overall, this support was a key factor in making the apprenticeship a positive and successful experience.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
I received a reasonable level of support from my training provider when working towards my qualifications. Support was available when needed and explicitly asked for.
However, there were occasions throughout the programme where guidance could have been clearer or more proactive. While support is there when requested, a more structured and consistent approach would have enhanced the overall experience.
However, there were occasions throughout the programme where guidance could have been clearer or more proactive. While support is there when requested, a more structured and consistent approach would have enhanced the overall experience.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
My qualification has supported me in performing better in my role by strengthening my underpinning knowledge of management and leadership practice. It has helped me to better understand the rationale behind processes and decisions, which I can then apply confidently within the workplace.
However, the greatest impact on my performance comes from practical, on‑the‑job experience. While the qualification provides a useful foundation, some areas could have been more closely aligned to real‑world scenarios. Overall, it adds value by complementing my role, rather than being the sole driver of my development.
However, the greatest impact on my performance comes from practical, on‑the‑job experience. While the qualification provides a useful foundation, some areas could have been more closely aligned to real‑world scenarios. Overall, it adds value by complementing my role, rather than being the sole driver of my development.
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 several opportunities to get involved in social activities at work. My team is very sociable, and we regularly socialise outside of work, which helps build strong working relationships and a positive team culture.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Vertu Motors to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The business offers strong support for development, particularly through opportunities like apprenticeships, progression, and ongoing learning. I have felt well supported by my managers and team, and there is a positive, collaborative culture that encourages people to grow and succeed.
In addition, the business genuinely invests in its people and provides a stable environment with opportunities to build a long‑term career, which makes it a company I would confidently recommend.
In addition, the business genuinely invests in its people and provides a stable environment with opportunities to build a long‑term career, which makes it a company I would confidently recommend.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Vertu Motors?
My advice would be to be open, enthusiastic, and willing to learn. Vertu Motors values people who are committed, adaptable, and keen to develop, so demonstrating a positive attitude and a genuine interest in progression is important.
I would also recommend being yourself during the application process and highlighting any willingness to take on opportunities or challenges, as the business offers strong support for growth and long‑term career development.
I would also recommend being yourself during the application process and highlighting any willingness to take on opportunities or challenges, as the business offers strong support for growth and long‑term career development.
