Supply Chain Business Apprentice Review

Throughout the apprenticeship I have been based within the central supply chain function at EDF Energy. On a day to day basis this includes managing relationships with suppliers, placing contracts, manging the tender bid process, and engaging with internal business stakeholders to ensure that we get the best value from our suppliers for the business.

I have learnt many new skills, many of these are specific to supply chain, for example negotiation skills with external suppliers. However, I have also been able to develop my softer skills within the workplace, for example presentation skills and effective communication skills.

I am nearing completion of my programme, however I can say that I have thoroughly enjoyed all of my rotations with various supply chain teams throughout my programme. This has been due to the wide variety of activities and teams that our business apprentices get to work with. A highlight of this was a placement for 4 months at a nuclear power station within the supply chain department.

I feel valued within the workplace now I am nearing completion of my scheme, this is due to the responsibilities that I have now been able to take on. I have my own market areas for which I am responsibile for spend in these areas.

The supply chain business apprenticeship programme at EDF Energy is a particularlly well organised and structed scheme that has developed over recent years. I have been involved within my second year on the apprenticeship with the recruitment process for next years intake of apprentices which has been a particularlly rewarding experience. The scheme is structured both to meet busienss needs and to meet the needs of the individual from a development perspective with rotations around the supply chain function in all areas of the business.

The support that I have recieved from my training provider, Gloucestershire College has been adequate for the scheme to ensure that I compelte all necessary tasks to meet the apprenticeship NVQ/BTEC criteria. Where this could have been improved is some contact after completing all mandatory tasks to fulfill requirements of the BTEC/NVQ.

There is a wide range of support available to apprentices as they go through the scheme and this has been beneficial to me. We have a line manager within any team that we are working for, in addition to this we have mentors and development officers that support us with any development needs we may identify or problems we may have.

With regards to the apprenticeship scheme sallary, I feel that this wage is very fair and supports any apprentices well throughout the scheme.

There are many opportunities throughout the business apprenticeship at EDF Energy that are outside of the normal working day. These include getting involved with fundraising events and getting involved with recruitment for future business apprentices.

Yes

The scheme sets up all apprentices for not just a job in the future, but a career in an area of work that I have particularlly found interesting and challenging in a good working environment.

Learn as much as possible before joining about the nuclear industry and the commercial environment in which the company operates within. If successful then I would strongly advise that all training opportunities that become avaiable within the company are fully engaged with, as there is a large variety of interesting and important training aimed at developing individuals in the company.