PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
# Be Payroll This National Apprenticeship Week, Curtis Sharpe MCIPP, operational design and transformation lead at Aldermore, shares details of his apprenticeship journey so far and how it is helping him achieve his longer term career goals
Congratulations on winning the Level 5 Payroll Assistant Manager Apprenticeship Award. How does it feel to be recognised for your hard work and dedication? It feels incredibly rewarding to be recognised and it validates the many hours of study, challenges faced and the perseverance required to excel through the apprenticeship. Moreover, this award has opened up new opportunities for professional growth. It has given me the drive to take on more responsibilities, take risks and aspire to apply for senior roles. I feel more motivated than ever and inspired to continue learning and developing my expertise. This recognition has not only boosted my confidence but also reinforces my commitment to pursuing excellence. What inspired you to pursue an apprenticeship in payroll? Choosing to pursue an apprenticeship in payroll was a decision driven by a combination of personal interests and professional aspirations. From a young age, I have always been fascinated by numbers and the intricate details of financial management. I started my human resources (HR) and payroll career in the British Army, which naturally led me to explore various career paths within the financial services sector after serving. Payroll always stood out as a field where I could make a tangible impact on both individuals and organisations. One of the key inspirations for my decision was witnessing the dedication and precision required in payroll management. I stepped up to support payroll and pension operations during Covid-19, and I was struck by the meticulous attention to detail and the critical roles they played in ensuring
employees were compensated accurately. This experience highlighted the importance of payroll in maintaining employee satisfaction and organisational effectiveness. What skills or knowledge have you gained through the programme that have been the most beneficial? Payroll is not just about numbers; it involves understanding and addressing the needs of employees, ensuring compliance with regulations and continuously acting as a strategic partner to the organisation. Technical and supplier selection skills were crucial learnings from the apprentice programme, helping me become particularly proficient on various payroll and benefit platforms available, and data migration tools to deliver successful change. During my apprenticeship, I’ve had the chance to support on various projects that reinforced my passion for payroll. One memorable experience was leading on the implementation of a new payroll bureau and upgrade while on the apprenticeship. The project was enormous and challenging, but it provided me with invaluable hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in transformation management. The satisfaction of seeing the successful rollout and positive feedback from colleagues was incredibly rewarding. You also learn to be fearless with creativity and swallow negative feedback. Change is exciting but remember, not everybody will be on board with your ideas. What advice would you give to others considering completing an apprenticeship in payroll? Stay positive and resilient. You will prefer some modules over others where personal interests take you. But all practices are
crucially important to being a successful payroll manager, so don’t be afraid to ask your mentor or colleagues for extra help if you’re struggling. Keep remembering why you chose this path as it can be a powerful source of motivation and inspiration. Reflecting on your initial goals, passions and the reasons that drew you to this field can help you stay focussed and driven. We’re all human too, and experiencing low times is a natural part of life. I had many, from personal issues to juggling demanding work commitments. It’s inevitable that we’ll face challenges and setbacks along the way, and these difficult moments are part of the journey that allows us to build resilience and find strength to overcome hurdles. It’s important to remember that these low times don’t define us; rather, how we respond. Don’t be nervous to complement your payroll journey by taking on new adventures or opportunities. Enthused by technology, I’ve been fortunate to be seconded to the organisation’s automation team, which specialises in delivering robotic processing, intelligent automation and artificial intelligence. I will be bringing my experience back to HR, where payroll can hugely benefit from these technological advancements. Strive for excellence in your payroll apprenticeship because you only get one chance to make the most of this learning opportunity. By giving it your best effort now, you’ll build a huge friendly network and solid foundation for your future. You’ll also set yourself up for long-term success, so make every moment count and just go for it. If you could describe your apprenticeship journey in three words, what would they be? Transformative, essential and dynamic. n
13
| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward |
Issue 107 | February 2025
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker