As part of National Apprenticeship Week 2022, we have been speaking to Serco’s Employment, Skills and Enterprise team to find out more about their experiences of undertaking apprenticeships while in employment.

Alix, Data Team Leader, shares her experience of undertaking a Level 5 Operational Departmental Manager apprenticeship. As Data Team Leader, Alix works across multiple contracts including Skills Support for the Workforce, Adult Skills for Work and Serco Education. She oversees the monthly submissions and general data integrity across contracts and manages a Senior Data Analyst and a Data Analyst, who is also undertaking an apprenticeship.

What encouraged you to undertake an Apprenticeship?

I felt I hadn’t upskilled my knowledge in some time, so this apprenticeship seemed like a good fit for my role. Our current contract is coming to a close, so this fit in well with achieving it before potentially having to apply for another job as it would provide me the updated skills for my CV and future prospects. In addition to this, I had capacity within my working week to undertake it which I have not had previously.

What did you most enjoy about the Apprenticeship?

I enjoyed interacting with other Serco employees and learning about what they do and the challenges they face. As well as this, I enjoy learning new and interesting facts that I can apply to my role.

What have you gained from the Education?

I have learnt information that I can apply directly to my role and also helps me see things from a different perspective in some cases.

What would you say to anyone looking to start an Apprenticeship?

Make sure you are in the right place to undertake the apprenticeship; prior to me starting this, I was not in a position to take on anything additional to my work and I wasn’t in the right headspace to undertake it.  By being in the right place and having the time, I am committed to completing it.

Don’t let the fear of doing structured learning put you off; I hadn’t done anything for 20+ years but I am enjoying it, even the challenges it produces. I have help and guidance from my Training & Assessment Officer (TAO) and the worry of being in over my head was soon alleviated, as I know more than I think!

How did you find fulfilling off-the-job training?

I took on the apprenticeship as I knew I had capacity to put time into the required assignments.  I have learnt as I have gone along that there is lots of stuff I do that can be applied to off-the-job training (OTJ) that isn’t all about assignments. You are learning and developing all the time and this all goes to OTJ.

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