Executive Officer Review

by Department for Work and Pensions

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

7.5/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

My job role involves providing technical assistance to caseworkers who encounter problems with the child maintenance service computer system. I take queries by phone and then diagnose the issue before trying to resolve it. Caseworkers call for lots of different reason, and sometimes it is not so much a technical issue but for advice.

8/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

I have learned and expanded various skills so far, despite not being too far into the apprenticeship at the moment. I'm around 6 months into an 18 month course, but up until now, I have learned quite a bit about different organisations and the many forms they can take.

8/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

I have not been on the programme for that long, so I think there is far more to come, but I do enjoy working on tasks and getting into the research required. Thankfully, I have been given regular time out of my job role to work on my programme work

7/10

4. How well organised/structured is your programme?

Thr structure of the programme is generally very good. I have regular meetings with my TDO to discuss progress and plot the best way to proceed going forward. The software isn't always the easiest to use, so the regular meetings really help to make sure my progress is on track.

7/10

5. How much support do you receive from your employer?

My employer have been very helpful in supporting this programme. I have a set day each week that I can use to progress my apprenticeship work, and I'm given a lot of extra training on the job to support that even more. I have been given support any time I've needed it.

9/10

6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

The regular support from my TDO has been excellent. At first, before the programme had started, it wasn't very clear how it all worked, but once I had some guidance it has been fine. I never feel like I'm unable to get assistance if it's ever needed

9/10

7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

This one is less clear to me at the moment. My job role is very specific and well-defined, so the learning I've done so far is only applicable to in a very broad sense. I'm sure it will change as I go forward, but for now it's not that linked.

6/10

8. Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)

Not particularly. There are a alot of virtual groups, and things like civil service live each year, but most of these activities occur within individual teams. There used to be more of these activities, but they have naturally scaled back since the pandemic. They will probably return as time passes

6/10

9a. Would you recommend Department for Work and Pensions to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

the DWP would be worth recommending because it's very varied work, due to the different teams within the wider department. It also has many opportunities to progress if that's something you are looking for. The communication between grades isn't always perfect, but it's a good place to work.

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Department for Work and Pensions?

Make sure you understand going in what working as a civil servant at the DWP means, as there are established standards that need to be maintained. If you are prepared to be adaptable and open-minded to different types of work, you'll find a lot of things to specialise in.