Global Deodorants R+D packaging apprentice Review

My Role is a Packaging Work stream leader in the Global Deodorants Packaging team. Working on numerous projects and being responsible for coordinating all the packaging elements of my projects. This will include updating suppliers and other functions, coordinating functional testing and working with other teams around the world. On some projects my responsibilities are more focused and specific. For example I may lead the metrology work stream and be responsible for the development of measurement fixtures/programs. As well as finally conducting all the measurements and feeding back results to the wider team.

Working at Unilever has helped me develop new skills and knowldge mainly around component development, injection moulding and also project management. Because I am able to get involved in multiple aspects of different projects, I get good immersion into specific workstreams. I now have a lot of knowledge of which I am able to share with other people. Existing skills that I have improved upon include becoming more organised and being able to balance large amounts of work on different projects, as well as university work and social life. Also, presenting was always a big weakness of mine, which is still the case to some extent but I have noticed (And so have others) that I have improved drastically over the years at Unilever.

I really enjoy the work im doing at Unilever. Its challenging, rewarding and there is lots of opportunities to improve through training and new work opportunities. One of the main things I enjoy about working at unilever is connecting with different countries and parts of the world. Aswell as being able to do something different every single day. The only downside is the university side. I feel this is not as beneficial as the experience i am gaining from working at unilever. I have always been more practical rather than academic so being able to put my knowledge into projects at work interests me a lot more.

Very valued. I feel there are numerous areas within my team/practice that i own. Whether this be a particular project, applicator or process. I am often treated as a member of the team rather than just an apprentice.

I think it is quite clear, where i am heading and where my manager would like me to be when i finish the programme. My manager has set tasks and goals of what he would like me to achieve each year. Training is quite an important subject within Unilever and I am always offered and encouraged to attend training sessions on different subjects to improve my performance.

This varies very much depending on the lectuer. Some lecturers will offer none stop help, problem sheets, guides, tutorials ect and always be available in their offer if there is every any issues. Some lectuers are much less useful and don't seem to want to help as much. This has been fed back directly to the university from myself and other students on end of semester feedback forms. I don't enjoy my day release at university. I would prefer to be at work.

usually, a lot of support. My manager or other members of the team will always be available to help me with any problem I have. Big or small. This is with work or university. If I need extra help or time with uni work my manager is always accommodating with this.

Although the salary does increase every year, I do find it hard sometimes to live on the salary provided. As I do have to support myself and I also have a long commute each day. I would be happier if the salary was slightly higher as although i am an apprentice, I am doing the same work to the same level of quality as some full time employees in the team.

There are lots of events outside work. Whether this is sitewide team events, teambuilding activities that are funded or just memebers of the team meeting up to do something outside of work time. The whole team get along very well and enjoy doing things together outside of work also. There are numerous sports clubs that go on outside work such as football, squash ect. Before I was working I would spend a lot of time on cars and car racing. I still do this but not as much. This is due to time restraints due to work and uni work and there is no clubs around this at work. (Understandable)

Yes

Because although Unilever is not the best payed company, it is made worth while by the opportunities and experience that you will gain working him. There are lots of hidden perks that make the job worth while and this is one of the reasons I enjoy my job and don't mind coming to work. being a global company also, there is chance to see other parts of the world which is very important to me.

One of the main reasons I got the job was because I showed a passion for something (Cars). This showed in the interview process and they knew that people with a passion for something will work harder and better and they enjoy what they are doing. So the fact I showed this charateritic showed how I could be while working at unilever. Advice would be to take advantage of the tour days around site before the main interviews. This is because it will give you a better look atw hat you could be doing. I know that the job I am doing now is not what I was expecting the job to be. So coming for a tour round first will help you understand and decide if this is really the best route for you to take.