Financial Management Apprenctice Review

In my day to day role I am using data sets that I have custom built to analyse the companies operation in certain areas of the business which can be across all customers and all categories or just in individual cells.

I have learnt a lot of new skills such as key interaction skills and relationship building skills which are extremely useful for my role as I am talking to lots of different business partners every day.

I enjoy the programme a lot because it gives me the skills I will need to progress whilst giving me opportunities to use those skills in real life situations

I feel very valued by Unilever as we have a lot of time given to us by lots of people in the business. The other employees have the same level of respect for the apprentices as they do for the other employees.

The programme is well structured and flows very smoothly all the way from the recruitment process through enrolment and all the way on to the day to day support that an apprentice might need.

We receive a lot of support from the training provider as they are frequently in contact with us to help with any questions. We also have monthly one to one meetings for progress checks and general catch ups lasting between half an hour and an hour and a half.

We receive a huge amount of support from our employer as there is an apprentice contact manager in each function as well as constant access to our line managers and other team members. There is no shortage of support and we aren't left feeling on our own at any point.

My salary pays for all my living costs living just south of London which is not a cheap area to live in with a small amount of disposable income. The pay is very good in terms of the average apprentice wage.

There are always opportunities that we can get involved in outside of work. A good example is the charity bike ride that I went on with 90 colleagues which gave a huge sense of companionship to all of us. We also have a monthly team night out as well as a free gym for use all day. the company is flexible about working hours meaning that we can make the work fit around other parts of our lives as long as the needs of the business are being met.

Yes

Because it is a fantastic opportunity to learn about how a large business operates. The learning curve is very steep but can give you extremely valuable experiences for the future especially in large agile businesses such as Unilever

Every applicant should have a general read up on the USLP (Unilever Sustainable Living Plan) because it is fundamental to how the company operates. The recruitment process is rigorous but fair so as long as you show the skills that the company is looking for then you will have a good shot at getting a role. Unilever are more focussed on recruiting the individuals that can impact the business positively through strong character so qualifications are not a huge part of why they will employ a person.