Growing hundreds of new Government employees at the VOA

Posted on: 3 February, 2025

Angie Leggett sat down with UCEM to discuss her role supporting 450 apprentices at the Valuation Office Agency – 250 of which are enrolled with UCEM.

Name: Angie Leggett

Job Role: Surveying Apprenticeship Development Consultant

Company: VOA

Angie Leggett is part of a small team at the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) looking after around 450 apprentices, 250 of whom are enrolled on Level 6 surveying apprenticeships at UCEM.

Talking to UCEM …

It’s fair to say Angie’s role involves a lot of conversations!

With such a large number of apprentices to support, Angie works closely with Rebecca Bickerton, the Head of Apprenticeship Outcomes at UCEM, to make sure the VOA’s apprentices are well supported throughout their studies:

“We meet every month to discuss the apprentices and identify if there’s anybody who we think could benefit from a little bit of extra support. It’s important to have that regular conversation to get the full picture of how an apprentice is getting on. And in fact, we can be in daily contact if we need to, whether that’s via email or ad hoc meetings in addition to the monthly ones. I talk to the Apprenticeship Outcome Officers as well. We’re all working together as a team to get those apprentices through the programme.”

… And talking to apprentices

Angie’s role also involves lots of dialogue with the apprentices:

“It’s quite a pastoral role, I would say. I’ll go and meet with the apprentices and have a chat. I just try to build up a really good relationship with them so that if they have any issues or any questions, they know that my door is always open and they’re not just left to get on with it themselves.

“Because I think sometimes people underestimate how much work is involved in an apprenticeship, particularly a degree apprenticeship. You’re working pretty much full time and studying, so it’s a big commitment, and I want them to be able to come and talk to me about anything.”

Targeted support for large numbers of apprentices

To avoid any apprentices falling through the cracks, Angie and her team have put structures in place to make sure everyone is supported in a variety of ways.

“We have monthly cohort calls so that they can get to know their peers and the people who will be at the same stage of the programme as them so they can build up that network of support. We also run workshops throughout their time in the programme, like revision workshops and targeted workshops for when they come to sit their final assessment and that kind of thing.”

Angie also makes time in her diary for 1-to-1 meetings with the apprentices, so that she can provide any individual support they may need.

“Growing your own” for the Government

It won’t come as a surprise that Angie is a big advocate for the benefits of apprenticeships! The VOA has a constant need for chartered surveyors, and ‘growing their own’ is the perfect solution:

“The nature of the VOA is that we need chartered surveyors to be able to carry out the work that the Government wants us to do. We’re a Government organisation, and the Government has particular ways they like things to be done.

“Our apprenticeship scheme means that we’re able to nurture our own talent and grow the number of chartered surveyors that we have within the agency to keep that pipeline going and have the people that we need to deliver the Government’s priorities.”

This is a principle that Angie feels applies to other organisations, including private companies: “Apprenticeships let you mould people according to what you need for your business.”

Angie has also identified a broader benefit to a business when they invest in apprenticeships:

“I also think it creates a nurturing work environment where people have development opportunities and can see the opportunities for progression in their careers. It shows an organisation is willing to invest in their people and their development.”

“Apprenticeships are for everybody”

Angie is such a big fan of apprenticeships that she has even encouraged her own children to consider the apprenticeship route:

“I have a child who’s about to do GCSEs and I’ve said, well, definitely look into apprenticeships, but for the area he’s looking into, it’s quite hard to find that information.”

A former teacher herself, she’s observed that schools are often quite focused on the university route, and don’t always equip young people with the knowledge they need to understand that they can still gain a degree while undertaking an apprenticeship. The VOA organises advocacy visits to schools and universities to spread the word about apprenticeships, and they also promote National Apprenticeship Week within the agency:

“We try to reach people who are already in the agency but have never thought about doing an apprenticeship or thought that they maybe didn’t have the qualifications. We really promote National Apprenticeship Week to talk about how apprenticeships are for everybody, and we have people from all backgrounds and ages on the programme. Within the agency, we definitely try to promote it with everybody across the board.”

UCEM award nomination

Angie was “shocked, surprised and thankful” to be nominated for the Employer Representative (Large Employer) accolade at the UCEM Built Environment Apprenticeship Awards.

“Before I joined the VOA, I was a primary school teacher and there aren’t really any awards in primary school teaching! I feel really honoured to have been nominated for it because I feel like I’m just doing my job. So, yes, I’m very thankful to have been nominated.”