R&D Local Delpoy Refreshment UK&IE Review

My job title is R&D Local Deploy which means on a day-to-day basis I analyse data, more specifically I look at nutrition, allergen information, ingredients lists and artworks. To do all of this, I use a range of different systems and programmes.

I have developed my Microsoft skills by having more training on it, especially excel. I have also learnt a lot about how much time goes into creating a new product and how the process goes.

I enjoy my programme a lot, it is a complete different experience to what I was doing before and gives you a lot of transferable skills. it also gives you the experience of working in an office environment.

I feel valued by Unilever because all the work that I am doing for my team is things that are being sent out to different teams as well as going to different countries to be used as examples or templates.

The programme itself is very well organised. however, when it comes to training or taking any exams we might need to take (functional skills), it lacks structure and is very unorganised.

Every month/month and a half, we have a meeting with our assessor who is from our training provider. We go through an action plan on what we need to submit as well as have an opportunity to ask her any questions that we might have.

With this apprenticeship, we are contracted in to completes our apprenticeship with Unilever from another company (AEA). We have monthly meetings with someone from AEA to go through what we have been doing work wise, not going over any of our coursework stuff. I also have regular meetings with my manager to make sure that I know what I am doing with the work I am doing for her as well as if I have enough to do.

my salary does cover all of my needs. however, when it comes to trying to pay off holidays etc. I have struggled because I have been paying that off as well as paying for everything else (travel, social).

we have volunteer days within work which is helping the community. there are also opportunities to be involved in challenges linked to the apprenticeship (Brathay Apprentice Challenge).

Yes

I think this is a great opportunity for anyone to kick start their career. whether its them getting another qualification or just having the experience of working for a company like Unilever.

When it comes to interviews or assessment centres, you have to sell yourself the best you can. May seem like an obvious one but with some people at my assessment centre they weren't selling themselves.