Modern Apprentice (MA) Case Study

Eilidh Manson

  1. What did you do beforethe Modern Apprenticeship Programme?

I left school in 2014 after I’d completed sixth year and my exams and I started the MA Programme that same year.

  1. Tell us about why you applied to be a Modern Apprentice in Scotland?

I knew before I left school that I did not want to go to university. I first looked at apprenticeships in the retail sector but then discovered that the NHS offered Modern Apprenticeships which combined work with a qualification. The MA in Business Administration interested me.

  1. What did you do in your MA Programme?

My placement was with the Human Resources(HR) department at NHS Education for Scotland (NES) in Edinburgh. The first month allowed me to familiarise myself with the department and people I would be working with. After four weeks I began the Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) 3 course in Business Administration.

There were two parts to my MA:

  • The first was the practical work involved as a Human Resources Assistant.
  • The second was my work towards achieving the SVQ3 in Business Administration. This included both compulsory and optional topics. My compulsory topics were: communication in a business environment; plan and be accountable for own work; and sustainability, diversity, risk management and security and confidentiality. I chose the following for my optional topics: using a diary system;using office equipment; using email; contribute to decision making; and support other people to work in a business environment.

To meet the criteria of the SVQ3 qualification I had to create an online portfolio and provide statements for each topic about the work I was doing in HR and collect evidence to support each topic. The statements could also include feedback from my line manager.

I met my SVQ Assessor every two weeks when we would review my online portfolio. The written statements were to help me reflect on the work I had done and the different tasks involved. Typically I spent about two hours each week maintaining the online portfolio and this was protected time.

Doing the SVQ3 qualification wasn’t like studying. It was more about writing up what I had learned on the job about each of the topics.

My role as HR Assistant allowed me to gain experience of working with different teams in HR including payroll, recruitment, organisational development (OD) and learning and dental recruitment. I particularly enjoyed the OD & Learning experience.

  1. When did you finish - and what have you done since then?

My Modern Apprenticeship ended in August 2015. Since then I have been working full time as an OD & Learning Assistant with NES. I assist the work of the Business Partners in the team. It is mostly administration duties but also includes some project work. The role involves work similar to what I did as part of my apprenticeship. The main difference is that I have greater responsibility and ownership and work fulltime as a member of the OD & Learning team.

  1. What was the best thing about the MA Programme?

It was definitely the variety of experience I got. This gave me the chance to learn about business administration in an HR context as well as to find out what interested me most.

As a school leaver I enjoyed being given real and important responsibilities that made a difference and with it the knowledge that I would get a good qualification at the end of the programme.

  1. What would you change?

There is nothing I would change about the programme.

  1. What are you plans for the future? (Study related, skills or experience related, job related etc)

At present I’m enjoying working in OD & Learning in NES in the NHS. I want to build up as much knowledge and experience as I can working in this area.

  1. What advice would you give to young people considering their career options?

It’s OK to explore all the options available to you whether further education or work. Don’t be afraid to ask about what is out there and take a look at a modern apprenticeships and what it offers.

  1. What do you think of NES as a place to work?

On a personal level I find the work I do very rewarding. I have also enjoyed learning more about NES, its work and the impact it has on the wider NHSScotland.

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