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Excelling in the Civil Service as a Business Support Officer: Nicola's story

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Nicola embraced the opportunity to do a Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship and now knows her optimal learning style.

About Nicola:

Prior to starting her apprenticeship journey with Realise, Nicola was working for a small specialist food and beverage start-up in a team of originally just six employees. Given the size of the organisation, Nicola enjoyed a dynamic and varied role, with exposure to multiple disciplines including marketing, dispatch and operations.

Upon leaving the start-up, Nicola joined the Home Office as a Business Support Officer – a sector and role that was new to her. Despite having a diverse range of experience and knowledge, Nicola was determined to develop her skills further and fulfil her new role to the best of her ability.

Nicola’s apprenticeship goals were simple – to advance her career.

We asked Nicola about her role at the Home Office:

“The portfolio that I work within is part of Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT), and is central to the department’s mission to keep citizens safe and the country secure. It designs and builds services that let people apply for visas or passports, support policing and counter-terrorism operations and protect the UK’s borders.”

Nicola’s first task in the morning is to set a to-do list for the day and have a catch-up with her manager to check in and determine the priorities for the day or week ahead. She then checks and replies to any urgent emails and shares or cascades any important information on the relevant platforms.

Nicola often finishes off the day on a call with her team, and sometimes with her manager, for a final debrief of the day if necessary. Given that some of her role is carried out remotely, Nicola likes to maintain a level of personal contact with her team. It is not uncommon for Nicola’s calls to finish on that all-important question “So what are you having for your tea?”

 

We have that in common Nicola!

 

A varied role that keeps Nicola on her toes:

Nicola relishes the opportunity to stretch her abilities and take on new challenges.

“I like the variety of the nature of work that I am involved with. It allows me to develop and hone a range of abilities, allowing me to use various skills leading to a diversity of experiences. Ultimately this helps me maintain a continued interest, encourages me to engage and creates a sense of fulfilment.”

Nicola recalls a time when her manager couldn’t attend an event that they were both organising, so Nicola stepped up and led the whole event independently. Nicola oversaw everything; including ensuring they kept to agreed timings and running the presentations.

“This was a good experience of being pushed out of my comfort zone and taking on more responsibility. I had a great sense of accomplishment after the day had ended having run smoothly.”

Why was an apprenticeship right for Nicola?

Nicola’s drive and thirst for learning were a key motivating factor when considering an apprenticeship with Realise.

“I enjoy learning new things and developing my skills and believe everyone should take full advantage of the training and learning opportunities available to them.”

So, when the opportunity arose to enhance her skillsets and complete an apprenticeship whilst in full-time employment, Nicola was raring to go.

An apprenticeship built for everyone:

We asked Nicola about her experience whilst on the Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship with Realise.

Nicola told us that she found the learning journey very smooth and well-ordered, with frequent interactive training sessions with her assigned Training and Development Officer (TDO). Her TDO regularly introduced each phase of the apprenticeship, outlining what learning content and tasks were to follow in the next few weeks.

Bespoke for every learner:

What really stood out to Nicola was Realises’ commitment to ensuring that every learner receives the right kind of learning delivery that works for them.

“I liked the fact that Realise really care and has an understanding that individuals learn in different ways.

I completed tests to determine what kind of learner I am, which I think is an extremely useful understanding to have so I am aware of how to develop my skills faster and more efficiently, which makes the overall process of training and learning more successful and thus enjoyable.”

Nicola established a fantastic working relationship with her TDO Clara, who she praised for being “a great source of support, guidance and help throughout this process.”

Clara remained a close support figure for Nicola throughout her time on the programme and was her ‘go-to’ outside of Nicola’s employment to help have open and honest conversations from a different perspective. Nicola felt that it was “reassuring to know I can reach out to her if ever needed.”

How do you like to decompress after a day’s work?

“I like cooking and baking and love an opportunity to try out a new recipe. I have a very sweet tooth, so I particularly like baking, I make all my family’s birthday cakes and get involved whenever we have any charity bake sales at work.

I also like to go to the gym for both my physical and mental well-being as I find it is a chance for me to listen to music, zone out and de-stress.”

Any advice for those considering an apprenticeship?

“I would say go for it.

There are so many options in terms of apprenticeships that are tailored to particular areas and interests.

Anyone can do an apprenticeship and no matter what, you are going to learn something useful and develop yourself in some way, whether this is new skills or knowledge or just about yourself in a professional and/or personal capacity.”

 

A huge well done to Nicola for embracing her apprenticeship and best of luck with trialling any new recipes!

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