Economist Review

My role is to assist with policy development within the civil service. In particular, I produce costings and economic models to estimate the exchequer impact of certain policies, to aid decision making for government budgets. I also deal with a large array of Freedom of Information Requests, creating publicly accessible responses, with the available data.

In terms of learning new skills, I'd say in particular my coding skills have improved. To create economic forecasts and models, we have to access a wide range of data, in order to form our models. With this in mind, I have had a lot of training in programs such as R Studio and SAS, in order to interpret and analyse datasets.

I really enjoy the programme that I am on. The work is extremely interesting. Taking an active role in policy development is really cool, and really allows me to understand how central government functions. My team are all really supportive, and trusting in each other to complete their tasks. I would say it meets my expectations very well.

The onboarding/ induction took a while. I was working in another job, and preferably could have had a start date sooner, given the University element began in September 2021. Bar the pre-employment checks however, the course is very well structured! We are given plenty of information, there is plenty of support from both University and employer, and any changes are detailed well in advance.

A lot. My manager is always there as support network, to offer guidance and advice. Crucially however, they do not micromanage, which for me personally would be overbearing. I have weekly catch ups with other apprentices who are further ahead in the programme who can offer more detailed guidance too, I can't complain!

I have monthly catch-ups with an apprenticeship advisor, but their emails are always open should an emergency happen. Tutors are readily available via MS teams, and always encourage us to ask questions. There is plenty of material and extra available on the University VLE system as well. I enjoy it!

I'm only in my first year as an economist. I feel that currently, the university work hasn't entirely been applicable to day to day work. However, I feel that you need the foundations as an economist, so I have no issue with this. It has helped me in terms of soft skills, and being able to use excel, and understanding the wider economy more. When they're talking about the economy on the news I finally understand!

There's plenty of social activities for our local office. For example, there's usually payday drinks. We also have after work tea-and-teach ins where we get together and discuss an economic topic. There's also professional networking events such as civil service live, and cross-government festivals which run regularly.

Yes

HMRC is a really nice environment to work in. There is always plenty of support available. I feel like a trusted member of the team, even though I'm only an apprentice. I feel like there is not too much pressure placed on your shoulders, which drives you to do a better job.

My apprenticeship was ran by the Government Economist Service, and after that I was placed into HMRC. I would say that it is important to show a keen eye for detail, and that you can engage with a wide range of views. Showing a keen interest in the apprenticeship is evidently important- why does economics interest you? Why do you think it's important? What are you goals for the future?