REWARD
Achieving the Level 5 Assistant Payroll Manager Apprenticeship
National Apprenticeship Week falls in February, so we spoke to Kerri Kingston MCIPP, senior payroll specialist, Aviva, about her personal experiences of achieving the Level 5 Assistant Payroll Manager Apprenticeship
W hen I started my apprenticeship, I was ready to be challenged in terms of my own personal development and I wanted to be ready for the next steps in my career progression. So, following discussions with my payroll lead, I was inspired to explore the possibility of an apprenticeship, as opposed to a degree course. I previously thought apprenticeships were only for new entrants into an industry or for a younger generation, but that isn’t the case and I’d love to share my experiences with you. I knew an apprenticeship would be a huge commitment but with the support I had from my employer, I could see how it would increase my knowledge, update my skills and enhance the behaviours required to be a great asset to any payroll team. Setting the wheels in motion I set a pre-discussion with my apprenticeship provider, MBKB, who were very supportive from the start. We discussed the different course modules available to me and how this would align with my senior specialist role. I knew choosing the Level 5 Assistant Payroll Manager Apprenticeship was the right
course for me, enabling me to progress my career and to fulfil my personal desire of being a leading payroll professional. I’d also be rewarded with a qualification at the end. I found the flexibility an apprenticeship offered over a degree suited my learning style and I knew my employer would support me while completing my studies. I tried to apply everything I learned as soon as I covered each module. I really liked the fact I was getting paid to learn! My course was two years long and during this time I completed 15 modules, covering all aspects of payroll, including: l complex / technical questions to support the day-to-day running of the payroll l employer responsibilities, exploring risk and legislation l probing behavioural discussions to gain new leadership skills. These modules are designed to teach
you everything to prepare you for your end point assessment (EPA) and final exams. Throughout the course and during each module, I was supported by my MBKB tutor and together we set my routine to ensure I had the space to learn and complete my study work, even during the busy year-end period. Because I took ownership of this and set my own development plan, I could see how gaining planning skills would benefit me and the team when running a payroll. I even gave myself a one month break in the summer to enjoy some relaxation time. Flexibility is key My course with MBKB was flexible so I could tailor some of the modules to fit around my personal learning schedule, enabling me to learn the various knowledge areas in a timeframe which
“I previously thought apprenticeships were only for new entrants into an industry or for a younger generation, but that isn’t the case”
| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward | February 2024 | Issue 97 38
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker