Human Resource Higher Apprentice Review

I am a HR apprentice and my first placement is in HR Services - the year is split into 3 17 week placements. My first placement has 5 teams within and throughout these weeks I will be moving around Call Advisors, Administrators, Learning and Development, Senior Advisors and Staff Travel.

I am currently studying towards my CIPD Level 5 Diploma in Applied Human Resources. I have been sent on internal training courses which have enabled me to develop my computer skills as well as my own personal administration skills. TfL offers such a wide range of courses for all new starters to go on so I have learned something new every single day and will continue to do so throughout the two years.

The programme provided so far is excellent - TfL as a company have such a great work ethic and the staff have all been so helpful. Both teams which I have been in have made me feel welcome and have helped me to the best of their ability. I enjoy coming into work facing a new challenge each day.

I feel very valued by TfL as a HR apprentice; from my Line Manager all the way up to HR Director there is support and encouragement all the way. TfL make an effort to include the HR apprentices in as many activities as possible.

When I first joined TfL we had a 3 day induction alongside all the other apprentices - This was great in getting to know all the new starters. The apprenticeship is split into placements in the first year; in my current placement I have been given a timetable of what roles I will be performing in the team for my first placement (e.g. - I have been with call advisors for 6 weeks and am now with administration for 5 weeks, and after this I will be with Learning and Development for 2 weeks and so on). I have regular meetings with my own delegated mentor who is always there if I have any concerns and keeps up to date with my progress. The studying side of the apprenticeship is also very structured; BPP who run the HR Level 5 CIPD have been outstanding in providing a structured timetable, and with TfL giving Hr apprentices one study day a week I feel as if we have a balance. I would say the programme is excellently organised in terms of both the work placement and the studying.

We have been designated a personal tutor who is always available if we need her for any questions or advice. We have online seminars with a tutor for 3 hours every other Monday, as well as specific module guidance. There is always someone from BPP available to contact if needed and they always reply swiftly and are friendly and helpful. BPP have provided a very structured programme

TfL are very supportive towards all their apprentices and staff; I have been assigned a Sponsor, a placement manager and a mentor who are all available at any time for me to come to them and ask for help and guidance. TfL are very focused on helping us develop to the best of our abilities as HR Apprentices and that is clear from the amount of time and organisation that has gone into the programme.

Working for TfL comes with excellent salary and benefits; TfL give free travel on London buses and the Tube meaning travel is free for me as I live in London. If you live outside London TfL also offer 75% reimbursement on season tickets meaning wherever you are, travel to work is affordable and accessible for all. The salary is well above the national apprenticeship minimum wage and meets the standard of living costs above and beyond.

TfL offers such a wide range of opportunities for us; there is the opportunity to be a TfL Ambassador where you can go to stations and volunteer on event days, strike days etc. It enables you to get face on experience with the customers who use the services provided by our company. There are many activities on offer, such as badminton and book club so there is always a social activity going on.

Yes

It's such a great feeling knowing you are contributing to maintaining the service which keeps London running everyday. TfL are supportive and invest greatly in apprentices, and my experience here so far has been fantastic. Everyone who works for TfL is proud to work for the company so there is an excellent work ethic and attitude throughout each building and network. You will gain such a wide range of experience as TfL is such a large company - especially with HR, the department itself is so large you get to spend time working in so many areas who focus in detail on a specific area of HR.

Preparation is key to success - You need to have prepared and thought about why you in particular will suit a HR role and need to prepare examples of skills and competencies you have used and examples of these. You can never be too prepared!