What was/is your apprenticeship in?
My apprenticeship is a level three Business Administration course.
What are the variety of tasks you carry out in your role?
My role includes a wide variety of tasks to carry out, I work with all staff members in the Connected Communities team with tasks that target different objectives: from helping with events with the Inclusion and Diversity Officer to logging and recording for our Community Infrastructure Fund grant scheme.
How does this positively impact yourself and others?
The work I do directly affects members of the public who use community facilities and members of community organisations or groups across the borough, as the work my department does is constantly developing our community facilities around Basingstoke.
How long does your apprenticeship last? What are you learning?
My apprenticeship lasts 18 months, during which I am set assignments which allow me to describe the work I do and how I use this work to meet the knowledge, strength and behavioural points that I am required to meet over the course of my apprenticeship. The assignments I am set are tailored to my working preferences, and my mentor has set them out in a way I am comfortable and familiar with working in.
Why did you decide to do your apprenticeship at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council?
I chose the council to do my apprenticeship due to its highly professional image, and the variety of teams and services it provides, which allows me to get experience in many different roles, building a wider range of skills and experience.
How did you find the introduction to your new team and your training? Did you feel supported in your learning?
My immediate team, and other officers of the council, are incredibly supportive for my learning. They were incredibly hospitable from my first day at the council, and this support has continued throughout my time in my role.
How has your apprenticeship increased your knowledge and skills?
In my role I am always given tasks that give me the ability to grow my skills and knowledge, for example, using and building on my IT skills in putting projects together, and building on my communication skills when attending external meetings and events.
Do/did you have any challenges whilst learning and working?
When I began my role, my communication skills were poor, but my team has given me many helpful opportunities to build on these skills and become more confident in communication.
What are the biggest benefits you have found so far from doing your apprenticeship?
I think the biggest benefit of my apprenticeship has been the continued development of my skills, as the varied responsibility on a day-to-day basis leads me to developing a wide range of skills. These skills include my IT skills, interpersonal and communication skills and my confidence in working with people inside and outside of the council.
What will you do once your learning is complete?
After my apprenticeship is completed, I am hoping to either continue studying or look for a role at the council if it is available.
How easily did you find/source the apprenticeship opportunity at the council?
Finding this opportunity was incredibly easy, as it was listed on the council’s recruitment website.
How did you find the application process?
The application process was also easy; the entire application was online and straightforward.
How was the interview process? What did it entail?
The interview process was very interesting, we were tasked as a group of interviewees to cut a piece of A4 paper in such a way that we could fit a person through it, but it had to be connected in a loop. This activity was memorable, as I have never had an interview like it.
