Supply Chain Management Higher Apprentice Review

I am a supply chain higher apprentice within the planning & control function. The daily tasks involve managing a portfolio of parts within the company and then managing the relationship with the vendor. It is about making sure they are delivered on time and to the highest standard.

I have built skills within all of my competencies whether that be communication, negotiation or even planning. As a RR apprentice you are trained to the highest level with internal as well as external training. I have personally enjoyed the presentation skills which have improved my public speaking.

I really enjoy the apprenticeship and the people I have integrated with as part of the experience. There is a good mix of age groups, I get the opportunity to work with fellow apprentices as well as more senior members of staff.

As an apprentice you are treated like any other member of staff but just are supported with your education and training. I have been recognised various times within the work I have been doing and I feel like I am valued.

The programme is structured well, there is a good level of communication with the university and the company and both work well. Sometimes it can be difficult to manage the workload but then this is based on the level you should be working at as a higher apprentice.

As an apprentice you have an apprentice development leader who is always there to answer any questions you may have. You also have a university tutor who looks after your uni work etc. The support is overall very good if required.

The support is good, you have the apprentice team who you can seek support from as well as the management and HR team. This changes depending on where you are working but generally they are all very supportive of apprentices.

The apprentice salary is okay and covers a lot of the costs you have as an apprentice. Overall it is lower than some of the other apprenticeships around but if you consider the education and training you are getting it is very good!

outside of work there are opportunities such as the apprentice association where like minded apprentices can ejoy social events. I have been involved with STEM events at local schools and met a lot of new people outside of the company.

Yes

I really enjoy working for the company and the opportunities I have been given are brilliant. If you want a good mixture of education with real hands on experience then it is a good way to get that with no student debt at the end

In terms of advice I would think carefully about what makes you different to the other 100's of people applying. Think about what shows you have a clear passion for what RR do and how you are going to help make the company successful.