Case Study - Thomas Allan

Role: Customer Operations Support Manager within Delivery Offices (Temporarily Promoted to Customer Operations Manager)

Length of time at RM: 6 ½ years

Questions:

What apprenticeship are you doing/did you do?

I am doing the Data Technician level 3 Apprenticeship.

Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship with Royal Mail?

Any opportunity to gain new skills, better myself and get extra education is a great opportunity!

What 3 words describe your apprenticeship?

Interesting, Rewarding, Gratifying

What did/do you like most about the apprenticeship?

Expanding my knowledge of systems that we use every day and finding newer, better and more efficient ways of working.

What was/is the most challenging aspect of the apprenticeship?

The most challenging part is trying to fit it in around work. But I have a great team around me who allow me the chance to organise myself.

What was/is the biggest learning experience because of the apprenticeship?

Christmas… trying to contend with Christmas in a Delivery office and keep the flow going. I was given ‘time off’ the apprenticeship over Christmas but it was hard trying to engage myself back into it after that break.

What support is available to you?

There is lots of support from the learning team. If I ever do need help, they are quick to respond on the BUD learning portal. There is also an abundant number of sites to visit. My OPL and the Lead COM have been very supportive, along with the OPL support, allowing me the freedom to undertake the apprenticeship.

How do you think this experience will influence some of your future career choices?

Data is something I love working with in any capacity and its driven me towards a more specified career path that I want to take! Once I finish this apprenticeship, I want to jump into a level 4 Data Analytics one if the opportunity is given. Hopefully from there I can then start looking at more roles within Royal Mail within that area, as that’s where I want my career path to go.