Enterprise Architecture Manager Review
at Walsall Council
Level 4/5 Apprenticeship
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cyber Security, Information Technology
Walsall
Review Submitted: May 2026
Overall Rating
4.8 /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
4.6/5
-
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 involves helping the organisation plan and design its IT and digital systems so they meet business needs and work well together. On a day‑to‑day basis, I work with different teams to understand what they are trying to achieve, review new ideas or projects, and provide advice on the best technical approach. I also help make sure new systems follow agreed standards, reduce duplication, and support long‑term goals rather than just short‑term fixes.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I have really enjoyed the programme. I’ve valued the new learning, meeting people from different organisations to gain new insights, gaining additional professional certifications, as well as the academic challenge.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
The modules supported the development of my existing skill set. Key skills such as communication, problem solving, and analysis were enhanced through the introduction of new techniques and approaches, enabling me to use them with greater depth.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
The programme was very well structured, with clear timelines and milestones.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
Staff who support apprentices at Walsall Council regularly check in and are always willing to discuss all aspects of the course. They were proactive in liaising with my training provider when issues arose and consistently acted in my best interests.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
This was mostly positive, although there was a delay in receiving a skills coach and subsequent conversations were mostly transactional. Guidance towards completing a portfolio was inconsistent throughout.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
The qualification supports me well in performing my role. The respective pathway has strengthened my understanding of how technology, business needs and strategy align, and has provided practical frameworks and techniques that I can apply directly in my day‑to‑day work. This has helped me approach decisions more confidently thanks to a robust foundation in the subject matter.
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
Yes - there are plenty of ways to get involved outside of the day job. We are encouraged to attend regional and national seminars, etc, but these will vary depending on your job role. Alongside wider corporate and professional opportunities, a lot of the social side happens informally within teams, like team lunches, coffees, walks, quizzes, or the occasional after‑work social. These are very much optional and low‑key, but there are good opportunities to get to know people and be part of the wider team if you want to.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Walsall Council to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Walsall Council has been a very supportive and prosperous environment for me. The flexibility offered has meant I can maintain a healthy work/life balance and not miss out on the other things that are important to me such as raising a family or volunteering as a school governor.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Walsall Council?
Go for it - especially if you want to learn on the job rather than be thrown in at the deep end. There’s a real focus on support, development and helping people grow and you get exposure to a wide range of work instead of being stuck doing the same thing every day. The teams are friendly and down‑to‑earth, flexible working is taken seriously, and it’s genuinely rewarding knowing the work you do makes a difference locally. You don’t need to know everything on day one - a good attitude and willingness to learn go a long way.
