Reward Assistant Review

My role includes data analysis and processing. I create a monthly data report which includes all employee data from department to salary. I also have a lot of responsibility for looking after senior leader data, I create senior leader org charts, master files and reports. I also help supper the HR business partners with queries on areas like company benefits and market rates as well as providing distribution lists.

I have learnt a lot of new skills. I’ve been able to improve my confidence by helping with different events, one example was an interactive session for line managers where we had to tell them about our reward schemes and processes. This was addressing a large group of line managers including senior management. I’ve also been able to take part in multiple training days in London to improve my reward knowledge.

I enjoy the program however I would prefer more engagement with other apprentices on the same or similar program. It would be good to network with them more as we have similar experiences and we are at the same place in our career. I also enjoy that the length of the program is two years. The best part of the program is however the team I work with.

My program had a lot of structure at the start however, after a few months the structure is lost and you feel the same as other employees. This can be good and bad, as being treated the same other employee’s means you’re not singled out and you’re treated with respect. However as some apprentices are brand new to the work place straight form education, some people might prefer more support and structure though out the whole program.

I receive a lot of support from my line manager, she is extremely encouraging and helpful. At the start of my apprenticeship she was really understanding and supportive, we have also always had weekly one to one’s which are really helpful. The apprenticeship team also have held a few development sessions for the whole apprenticeship group, however I would prefer these to be more frequent.

My training provide didn’t offer as much support at the start as it does now. At the start the support wasn’t consistent due to a few staffing changes in a short space of time. However for the last six months we have had the same support form on member of staff called a ‘skills development coach’. My skills development coach has been really helpful and a good person to contact if I have any issues. We also have a catch up every other month to go through progress and questions.

I find that my qualification doesn’t really help with my work in my role. My role is quite specific and the qualification involves a lot of theory. I haven’t found I have used any of the theory in my current role as it is very specialist and we use a lot of theorists. My role involves creating and developing data on spreadsheets and the theory in my qualification doesn’t really support with tasks like this. The models in my qualification are very specific each time, I personally would have preferred to have general business aspects to the qualification.

A group of apprentices on the same year as me helped out by taking part in lots of children in need activities. This was great and it was really nice to use skills that I don’t normally get to improve. I have also gone to career fairs to represent the company this again help to build confidence and communication skills in different ways to normal. As the company is so big most out of work activities are done and organised via your team.

Yes

Boots is a really great company to complete an apprenticeship with. It’s well know, trusted and they have been doing apprenticeship schemes for years. Although you’re an apprentice you’re treated just the same as other employees. They’re also always developing and improving their apprenticeship schemes every year. However I think the experience is really dependent on your team and line manager, I have a great line manager who encourages my development and offers lots of support to the team.

If you’re interested in applying to Boots make sure you do work experience, it shows you’re interested and want to work for the company. Make sure you research the business beforehand too. Be yourself in an interview, be confident but not overly confident. They know you’re an apprentice so they won’t try to catch you out, just be genuine and show how much you want to work there.