I joined the Training and Development team in September 2018 as a Solutions Specialist apprentice. I had previously worked as part of the Roads Safety Information System team, scanning DL25s and ensuring all details were correct before the forms were dispatched to DVLA. Before joining DVSA, I worked in the car manufacturing industry as a machine operator.
Training and Development (T&D) Training Specialists contribute to the identification and sourcing of learning products. Where necessary, we develop T&D products and services that support individuals and DVSA’s business requirements to enable the delivery of an efficient and effective T&D function.
No two days are the same in training. A typical day generally starts with checking my emails in the morning, these can be from internal and external customers.
We deliver various training within the business and emails come from staff enquiring about learning products or requesting to be booked on courses. We are currently delivering these products virtually via Microsoft Teams. I liaise with external partners who deliver some of our training. This includes sending off delegate lists and collecting attendance sheets after the training. I attend to the training and learning inboxes as well, one of these being Civil Service Learning. I attend to queries regarding access issues and courses that are not tracking correctly on the new portal. I also run reports of all staff learner records for their respective directorates.
I keep learner records up to date by following up on all the training completed, as well as sending out evaluations. I also ensure that all T&D solutions address equality and diversity.
The Civil Service provides a perfect work/life balance for me, especially the flexible working hours. There are plenty of career progression opportunities, development opportunities and apprenticeships at DVSA.
My job involves a combination of tasks, which I find challenging but also very enjoyable. I attend annual World of Learning events to interact with other L&D professionals and share best practice. I have recently been on an Articulate 360 course to learn about online course design.
DVSA is indeed a great place to work, with staff drawn from all backgrounds working together to keep everyone safe on British roads. The organisation is truly reflective of the communities that it serves. The team has been very supportive, and staff wellbeing is held in high regard within the agency. Senior managers are visible which makes it easy to engage and ask questions.