Strategic Planning Lead Review

As a strategy and planning lead I design, develop and deliver the strategic planning cycle for our Co-op. I work closely with our executive leaders and their teams to revise and refresh our strategic and financial plans on an annual basis, and act as a subject matter expert for all Co-op wide strategic initiatives. In my role i look at all the ambitions of our organisation and join them together into one coherent strategy. I lead sessions and workshops with our most senior leaders, sharing valuable insights along the way.

I have only just started my apprenticeship (Jan 2022) so not had much opportunity to developed new skills. However i have learned new techniques to help develop my planning process such as the importance of critical path and the various methodologies that can be applied to develop a schedule which is most suited to the overall project deliverable.

I enjoy aspect of the programme, such as group learning, discussion and debate around topics. Understanding how my peers are implementing learnings into their work environment and what i can take from these experiences. This is something i really do enjoy and get a lot from. However on the flip side i am not enjoying the teaching style. Given we are in a remote situation i feel that we have been restricted to rigidly adhere to a set of slides and timings when we have set days for lectures. This particular learning style is not suited to me as i learn by doing and experiencing.

So far i feel the programme is really well structured and organised. I have always received information upfront regarding class times and schedules. What's expected of me during and after class sessions. I have valued the support i have received so far from both QA as the provider and Northumbria University.

I receive all the support i want and need from my employer. In particular my Line Manger, [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyApprenticeship Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] who is always eager to ask me about my studies at our 121's and holds a vested interest in how i am progressing. I have dedicated time for all my seminars and any additional activities i need to complete.

I find that when i ask for support i receive it, but its knowing where to look for support and who to ask for. This is not always easy to find, in my experience more needs to be done in this support to share detail of what support is available to students and where they can go to obtain this if they so wish. The expression that comes to mind is "if you don't ask you don't get!"

As stated before, i have only just started my qualification, so time will tell as to how it will benefit me from performing my role better. However my aspiration is that i will gain knowledge, skills and experience as i progress through my academic studies which will allow me to grow in my professional environment and put my learnings into practice.

yes, i work for the Co-op Group we have a number of workplace activities i participate in. Namely one in particular as i am a Co-op Academies Governor for a local school. I thoroughly enjoy doing this role (i have done this for the past 5 years), part of my role is to also support the school in their risk assessment, including the maintenance of all their risk on their risk register and compliance to Trust guidelines.

Yes

I love working for the Co-op, for all the experience and opportunities it has offered me in my professional career. I have worked for the Co-op for just over 7 years and i have gained more from my time at the Co-op then i have from any previous employer. The ethical values of the organisation are close to those of my own. I love the fact that we are an organisation that is commercial but also knows how to give back to local communities and wider society. I am very proud to work for the Co-op and brag about it every opportunity i'm given :)

Ensure that you are true to yourself, your ambitions and goals. As long as you are clear on what it is that you want to achieve from your career you will always find someone at the Co-op to support and guide you. Keep an open mind as we are a large organisation with lots of different business units and support teams - if your looking for a career with a organisation that values its employees as much as its values its customers then the Co-op is the place for you. If your the type of individual who loves to learn and grow, wants to work in a diverse workplace with ample opportunities for development then Co-op is the place for you.