HR compensation and benefits. HR Consultant Apprentice Review

HR benefits, overseeing and organising the set up, maintenance and improvement of new and existing employee benefits. Day to day, I am often in discussion with my manager and third party benefit suppliers about current or potential benefits, as well as keeping on top of the admin involved. My current main projects are Annual benefit enrolment and the employee awareness communications that are involved in that.

By working and learning simultaneously I am able to develop my self management and time keeping skills, I have to be consistently organised in planning my working week or even day to ensure I complete both what is expected of me by my manager and by my Apprenticeship provider. Relevant training courses for both my job and my learning are provided either online are in class which further enhances my skill development across several areas.

I enjoy the opportunity to learn and work simultaneously, I believe I am much better suited to being able to apply my apprenticeship theory and knowledge to my job as I learn, rather than studying full time. I enjoy working with a supportive manager and team with a depth and breadth of experience in all HR areas, which allows me to gain and expand my knowledge both specific to my job role and my Apprenticeship overall.

My manager always recognises when I have done a good job, and is always keeping me in the loop with what is going on within my department and the business as a whole. I feel valued in that I can be trusted to take on new projects independently but always feel I can rely on my team for support if needed.

Although I am fairly new to the Apprenticeship, it seems that the programme is well organised and the relevant communications are in place to ensure I have the support I require from my Apprenticeship provider. Induction webinars were set up to ensure awareness of the overall course structure and what I should expect as well as opportunities for me to sign up to attend face to face meetings and seminars if necessary. The programme ensures that I have the time I need to complete my Apprenticeship work during my working week and in combination with my managers support I feel I am able to juggle all my responsibilities well.

Again, I am fairly new to the programme however so far it seems to me that my training provider is committed to ensuring I am aware of any upcoming webinars or opportunities to have training days outside of the office. I have several contacts that I can call or email with any queries and receive a prompt response.

Since starting at Nomura, I have been assigned to both a buddy (ex-apprentice) and a mentor from another department in HR. Both have made me feel welcome and ensured that I feel confident to ask about anything related to both my job and my Apprenticeship. In addition to this my manager is supportive of my learning and we have discussed the time I need to complete my Apprenticeship work and I am comfortable discussing this allocated time if I feel it needs adjusting.

For me, my salary is sufficient. It covers all travel costs as well as all my other outgoings and leaves me with an adequate amount to cover social costs and save. The company also offer interest free travel loans if needed and a practical bike scheme for more local employees.

Nomura offer a wide range of opportunities for its employees outside of work. Working in the employee benefits team, I am very aware of all of these, from company drinks on Thursday evenings to sunrise Pilates. A reasonably priced gym membership is accessible to me as well as discount cards for local restaurants. External speakers are often invited in to speak on popular and interesting subjects. Charity/ voluntary opportunities are also advertised well.

Yes

The company have a very supportive and welcoming environment, I feel I have settled well. The working day is always busy and productive and the social side after work, due to office location, is great. The employee benefits are really unique and useful and the development opportunities seem good.

Do research into both the company as a whole and your specific department prior to your application. Ensure you are clued up on what the company does and where they are in the market currently. Know the company values and what they aim to achieve in the future. Once you have done the research, and got an interview, make sure you are up to scratch and can talk about your CV in depth, know what the roles the job spec includes and prepare examples of your ability to do each one. On the day, be confident and professional as you are now as prepared as you can be. Most importantly, be enthusiastic about the role you're applying for.