Chartered Management Degree apprentice Review

I rotate on placements around the business, currently being in health and safety means my day to day role involves talking to operators and assisting with risk assessments. In addition, I get a brilliant understand of health and safety and the required standards in a Business.

I have developed many skills, for example my communication and emotional intelligence skills have become much better. Alongside my time and stress management becoming a key skill I use as i navigate the work and university balance. I am now working a lot around data and can see that presenting of data and understanding of data skill developing just as much in the future.

I would recommend my programme to anyone who is looking to gain an exceptional industry level understanding of a FTSE 100 business, whilst still obtaining a degree. It is the perfect blend of university but also getting all the needed real work experience. I would recommend it to anyone who asked!

My programme is structured so that I have 4 days working at Howdens on their projects and 1 day dedicated to university. It is a very flexible programme meaning I can take a full day to do my university work or do it as and when I have time. I think the structure is a good balance.

I receive good support from my employer. We have an early careers co-ordinator who is there anytime we need her! Alongside managers who are fully invested in making sure you get out what you need out of every placement and doing everything they can to help, there is very good support at Howdens.

We receive good suppprt from Corndel. We have a PDE who is there for any questions as well as having a monthly meeting to answer any questions and go through the next step as with us. In addition, my PDE puts out a weekly update every Friday to make sure we are all aware what’s coming up!

My qualification is helping me develop my communication and emotional intelligence skills, alongside my confidence in understanding data and business information. I apply almost every thing we learn weekly and feels like I they make my day to day easier by giving me the tools to succeed.

There is social activities we can get involved with at work. For example, bake sales and team day outs are common at Howdens. Other events such as a sports challenge have occurred since I have started my apprenticeship with many employees including myself got involved!

Yes

There is a very family like culture, it seems you can talk to anyone and they would all do whatever they can to help. Even the senior leadership are extremely friendly and want to help you in anyway they can. It’s a very warm and family like business

Just to be yourself, you’d be surprised how many people get a job for coming across as natural and themselves! Howdens are looking for employees who will fit in with their family like culture, so just being yourself is the best advice I can give.