Planning and regeneration apprentice Review

My role is quite varied, as I am supporting different members of the team, all of whom have their own projects and interests. Mainly, though, I am working on regeneration projects. This is my personal area of interest, so it is an incredible opportunity to be involved with such schemes throughout their life span.

Yes, I've been able to conduct different surveys, and have also built on my existing communication and team working skills. I've also been provided with the opportunity to network, and make or strengthen existing contacts. Additionally, I've learnt how a local authority works, and the pressures that it faces.

I really enjoy the working side of it however my over all enjoyment is jaded by a poorly organised university course - LSBU are completely disorganised and ineffective at communicating with us. My employer, RBK, has been supportive throughout, and though we only entered into our role the week that the academic year started, the programme has been relatively smooth throughout.

Reasonably well structured, we are able to discuss our University work load with our managers and adjust projects accordingly, so that they meet our needs / interests. There is no rigid structure per se, as I am working in the public sector, and thus not needing to react to client's demands or deadlines.

Plenty - they are very, very supportive without being over bearing. They are also keen to ensure that our university projects line up with our work projects. They also ensure that we have regular 1:1s to make sure we are coping, and also ask about how we are getting on at University.

Very little - it is difficult to get hold of some lecturers, with many not replying to emails or not being understanding of other demands - for example, we were advised to only book time off work / personal holiday outside of term time (in the school holidays), however they then told us that we'd need to come in for a dissertation day during the Easter holidays.

I'm not 100% sure that the qualification helps me to perform better in my role - yes, I learn things about policy (for example) in the lectures, but nothing that I either do not already know or could not have picked up from a conversation with the relevant team member in the office.

As a team we've been out for a Christmas meal, and we have an awayday planned. As myself and some of my colleagues do not live near our offices, it can be hard to arrange something for after work. Networking opportunities occur relatively regularly, and though most of these happen internally, we do have two business expos a year. I attended one last year and intent to go to both this year too.

Yes

Working in the public sector is interesting and something that I believe everyone should do, as it will provide them with a well-rounded experience. RBK is, or at least in my opinion, a welcoming and friendly, yet professional employer, keen to make a difference to its residents lives. Most of my team have been working here a year or less, and already have so many plans for the borough. Given that when it comes to regeneration / developments they are often quieter than other boroughs, it is encouraging to see that they are making this progress.

Nothing specific, just be enthusiastic about what you do, and what they do. Be keen to work with a wide range of people, as you will be working with residents rather than for clients. I'd possibly also say that economically it can be quite hard, as it is difficult (due to cuts etc.) to "self-fund" projects, so we need to rely on external funding for many of our schemes.