Business Support Apprentice Review

I answer phones, perform general administrative duties such as filing and dealing with paperwork as well as financial duties such as the processing of expenses claims, sales and purchase invoices. I also deal with staff timesheets, both logging them and dealing with queries from staff members. I record income and expenditure on spreadsheets and use the company credit card to purchase items. I also deal with requests for expenditure on behalf of clients. I prepare financial claims and accounts to be submitted monthly and also raise monthly invoices for services we provide to partners.

I have greatly developed my IT skills and now have a much greater knowledge of word processing and the use of spreadsheets, including the use of formulae, the creation of charts and graphs and data validation. I have become a much more confident communicator, both over the phone and in writing. I have learnt a lot about financial matters, including the processing of cheques and BACs payments and how and why we record expenditure and income, which has improved my ability and accuracy in data entry.

I have little experience of the programme provided by my current training provider as I had to move to them after my previous provider went into administration. However I have greatly enjoyed both programmes; I have found them to be somewhat challenging and informative despite and have enjoyed completing tasks for the most part, in particular those which required discussion with my tutor and colleagues as well as answering questions and writing reflective accounts of my activities.

The current programme is reasonably well structured. The aims and objectives of the course are well laid out and quite easy to understand, and the use of an online portfolio has made keeping track of what I have and haven't done simple and easy. I find the use of technology due to the current pandemic has meant that we have had to adapt to new ways of communicating in order to do recorded discussions, but for the most part this hasn't unduly impacted the structure of the programme

I receive a great level of support from my employer. Both my line manager and our senior administrator have been fully supporting of my training and have provided all the necessary opportunities and equipment to display competencies in order to meet training criteria. I receive 2 half days a week to complete apprenticeship work where I am expected to focus on tasks related to completing my apprenticeship and my employer has made space available for me to do this with no distractions

I have been in quite frequent contact with my current tutor and whenever I have had a query regarding a piece of work she has answered it within good time and in a way which has helped me better understand what is expected of me. We have also had frequent phone calls as catch-up sessions where we have discussed my progress, though there have been few of these as I only recently started with this training provider, but I have found them useful.

This qualification has given me a better understanding of business administration, IT and communication skills which I have found immensely useful in my day to day role. It has given me the necessary background to better understand what is expected of me and has helped further develop my administrative, financial and IT skills which has helped me to perform better in my roll. I think this qualification has been a great stepping stone to further my development in the role.

Yes

As a charity Lincolnshire Action Trust provides a great service to people to help them get back on their feet and into employment. It offers a supportive working environment that is conducive to good mental health and development of social skills. My colleagues and managers are equally supportive and committed to making sure we keep a relaxed, friendly and efficient environment to welcome clients and visitors. The work can be challenging, but there are always people willing to offer their support if one is feeling overwhelmed.

You should bring a positive attitude and be open and willing to help people who are at their lowest ebb in life. It helps to have good social skills, though this is something I have developed whilst at the organisation, and so it doesn't matter if you are quiet as this is the kind of organisation which brings people out of their shells