Personal Assistant Review

I am personal assistant to the head of my department. I also support the wider senior leadership team in delivering the goals of the department and supporting the background business flow (HR liasion). I manage diaries, agendas, minute meetings, complete establishment lists, track excess hours worked. I also lead on the teams recruitment and outreach.

Yes. Two of the apprenticeship modules were particularly useful. Project Management - I developed skills in project delivery and management through using the structured methods taught in the course. For example I use GANTT charts not to track work streamlines and ensure I'm meeting deadlines. Problem Solving - this modules was really useful for me as I learnt to look at problems in various ways, for example as opportunities to improve.

As with everything, there were times it was really enjoyable and fulfilling, but there were also times I feel overwhelmed and 'bogged down' in theory and writing. My line manager and wider team were always on hand to support me, and I'm very lucky to work in a company that really values learning.

My programme had a very good flow, the modules were delivered in an order than made sense. I did not enjoy the group sessions as I found it was difficult to keep up with the tutor. My tutor also was not the easiest to get a hold of sometimes, which I found frustrating.

I received an abundance of support. My line manager always checked in with me during catch ups on how the apprenticeship was going. I had monthly catch ups with the Academy at my place of work (a team in HR). I was actively encouraged to use working hours to fulfil my apprenticeship commitments.

The material provided was more than sufficient. My tutor as previously mentioned was a bit hit and miss. Sometimes she'd deliver a really good presentation on a module, and sometimes she had nothing prepared really and a 3 hour sessions would be a 10 minute chat. I wished my tutor was a bit more proactive with teaching/guidance.

As previously mentioned the Problem Solving and Project Management modules were particularly useful in my role. Project Management - I developed skills in project delivery and management through using the structured methods taught in the course. For example I use GANTT charts not to track work streamlines and ensure I'm meeting deadlines. Problem Solving - this modules was really useful for me as I learnt to look at problems in various ways, for example as opportunities to improve.

My work has an active group of networks which bring together various groups of people. I was a committee member on the LGBTQ+ Network and on my Teams Social Commitee where we'd organise socials, both virtual and in person. Gather ideas, share knowledge. I have met many people through networking at work,

Yes

The Civil Service prides itself on equality and diversity, it has a huge focus on continual development (whether through work experience, unofficial learning and structure academic courses - they fund degrees!). It's also a very safe environment, bullying is not tolerated and taken really seriously. Also there is a wicked pension scheme and no risk of redundancy!

Study up on the application process - it's a bit weird and backwards but it tries to make the recruitment process as fair as possible. There are behaviours and skills they look for in applications -it's just about getting your wording right and marketting yourself as best you can!