Business Administration Apprentice Review

I work within Global Supply Chain Analytics - within this role I deal with sourcing data, interpreting data, building/ maintaining Databases & Tools, SharePoint building and maintenance etc. I also support other team functions within Supply Chain with ADHOC duties.

I work a lot with spreadsheets on Excel - I have learnt a lot very quickly with this and I am able to transfer these skills and offer assistance to other teams. I work with SAP and I understand the basics of navigation and utilisation, which will always be a useful skill going forwards. My manager was able to secure professional Microsoft Office certificated exams for me as a business need - which is another fantastic opportunity for me to further my C.V. and build my skill set.

I thoroughly enjoy what I do. The office that I sit in is great and the team I am in is very supportive and incorporating. The company culture is very different to what I have experienced before and I feel valued - the chance to talk directly to senior level managers can be invaluable. Like with everything, it becomes what you make of it, but the opportunities are there to take.

I have a very good working relationship with my manager, there is a lot of mutual respect and we get on very well on a personal level as well. I am involved in high level projects and I am trusted to do very precise and intricate pieces of work. The quality of work that I produce is always recognised and discussed.

I feel that the importance of apprenticeships is widely recognised within Unilever, but the apprenticeship layout and structure is still in it's infancy with teething problems. I think that the investment is there and it won't be long until minor issues are ironed out. Each team is different so there will always be inconsistency but perhaps there should be more communication regarding this.

At the start, I did feel very supported. As the months went on and I progressed further through the coursework at a fast pace, the support and contact hasn't been there from the qualification side of things. I am fortunate in the fact that I don't really require much support with the course, and perhaps the guidance is being geared towards others that do need it. Support from my technical employer has been of a brilliant standard and consistent.

I receive great support from my manager and 'mentors' within the office. I will always have somebody to talk to and colleagues always seem to be able to make time for me, adding to the sense of value and support.

My salary/ package is consistent with the work that I do and the opportunities that I am granted. For starting at the bottom of a very promising ladder, you can't complain at all. Especially for somebody coming straight from school.

I currently play football with a Unilever team on Thursday, but I know I could probably play for teams all through the week if I wanted to. I volunteer to support Unilever with Apprenticeship Workshops as I really believe in them and the quality that they offer. I am running the Port Sunlight 5K this coming Sunday which is sponsored by Unilever - they encourage everybody to get involved in some way which is really great. We also have a couple of office outings/ events a year and organise things like leaving meals and cards/ presents for people on their birthday etc. I feel that the balance is really struck well.

Yes

I know how poor other companies can be - Unilever seems to be quite unique for a number of reasons. I don't just feel like a number and I am not squeezed to exhaustion and discarded.

I think that apprenticeships are getting more popular at the moment, and therefore the requirements and standard to secure an apprenticeship should also increase. I think that you just have to do everything you can to highlight the type of person you are, show your energy and what you think you can bring to the table. You have to be prepared for a huge learning curve and be prepared to push yourself and get outside of your comfort zone. You will be put in to a function based on what Unilever believe you have the potential to excel at and also enjoy... chances are, you won't know a thing about it already! Unilever don't just look for people leaving school, I came in at 24 years old having done quite a lot previously. They love diversity, new ideas and dynamic confident people. The best advice I could give would be to throw yourself in to everything, a lot of the journey is about attitude. Always work hardest when you aren't being watched - the rest will just come naturally. Be a team player, work smarter, not harder and just use your brain. If you have questions, ask them. If you have an idea then talk about it! Good luck!