Human Resources (HR) apprenticeship case study: Farhana

• Team: Human Resources (HR)
• After her apprenticeship: Farhana took a permanent job in City Hall’s HR team

Why did you want to do an apprenticeship at City Hall?

Human Resources (HR) and recruitment have always interested me, so when I came across the apprenticeship opportunity at London’s City Hall, I knew it was not an opportunity to pass up!

How did you hear about the vacancy?

I was under the impression that a qualification would be essential in order to be able to get a job within HR. I came across the apprenticeship opportunity by chance on the National Apprenticeships Scheme website. When I was invited to the City Hall assessment centre I had a mixture of feelings - excited for getting to the assessment stage but also nervous about what to expect. I just wanted to get stuck in and prove myself on the day.

What were your day-to-day responsibilities as an apprentice?

I managed correspondence enquiries from applicants and the general public, as well as HR queries from staff within the organisation. It was good to get exposure and be involved in the full range of HR services early on in my apprenticeship as I felt this really prepared me for the rest of the year. These services included learning and development, HR advice and guidance, and recruitment. I was able to use my customer service experience in my role, but learning about the different HR policies and processes was a real eye opener!

What did you find most useful? How have you used this in your current job?

I found the GLA’s in-house training sessions particularly useful as an apprentice, as I felt really well supported and was able to revisit areas that I felt I needed to develop my skills in.

What did you find challenging about your apprenticeship?

Managing my NVQ work as well as day-to-day tasks was often time consuming. I initially worked closely with my line manager to find ways of better managing my time, and over the course of my apprenticeship this was a skill I developed effectively.

What was the most inspiring thing that happened during your apprenticeship?

There were so many inspiring moments, but for me, what’s good about City Hall is that you get to work with some really inspiring people who are passionate about their jobs and the work they do to help make London a better place.

What were you doing before your apprenticeship here?

I was studying for my A-Levels and working part-time in retail. My original plan was go to university, but I changed my mind after A-Levels.

What did you find most useful about the apprenticeship?

I felt very well supported by the apprenticeship scheme. It allowed me to build on skills I already had from my retail experience, and to gain knowledge and experience in a field that interests me. Some of the main benefits were learning from my HR colleagues and getting an NVQ Level 3 at the end of it!

What tips would you give to future applicants?

I would recommend doing extra-curricular activities to broaden your knowledge and experience and use these to your advantage. Team London have a variety of exciting volunteering opportunities that you can get involved in! I would also advise using different examples when putting together your application and during interviews, as these help employers understand what you've been involved with better.