Planning and Control Higher Apprentice Review

Across my apprenticeship we undertake a number of job roles from Material Resource Planning Controller to Supply Chain Designer and Engine Clearance Controller. These heavily involve the use of SAP to help plan and implement a range of supply chain activities as part of the supply chain. As part of these roles I have worked with many different functions such as quality and engineering. The roles we undertake also heavily involve external interactions with suppliers. Due to different roles and expectations every day can be different in our apprenticeship in Rolls-Royce.

I have undertook a wide range of training within my apprenticeship. I would say the biggest skill I have developed is my decision making. I have also improve my presentational skills through a number of alternative training courses. My NVQ has also helped me to develop my work balance and due to the high amounts of work I complete, once my scheme is complete I will be able to work to a high standard in my job role.

I would say that I do enjoy my scheme, but what I do not enjoy is lack of some basic flexibility. We are unable to have a say in where our placements are. I fully understand the required roles, but perhaps I would have been motivated more and help develop myself if given the opportunity to speak to a range of managers and have a placement in a place that I want to go to i.e. I would have liked a role in Turbines but did not have the chance. I do though, thoroughly enjoy the exposure and opportunities that are given to us.

I feel very valued in the respect that during placements we get given so important tasks that I would not have thought I would have been expected to undertake. However, as a whole company I don't see many communications from the senior leadership team i.e Warren East regarding apprenticeships

Personally, I think my supply chain management organisation can be improved. I think the structure is good with a variety of placements that are the same for everyone. However, the organisation of our university is terrible in my opinion and this affects the overall organisation of my scheme. We do have meetings with our manager every 12 weeks but I feel many of these reviews are answering a range of questions and is useful for raising any concerns. I feel my course structure is too fixed and some added flexibility would be better i.e. placement opportunities abroad, able to find own placement team etc.

If this question is regarding university, I would split the support discussion. My mentor was fantastic, he was a Loughborough university mentor rather than Nottingham Trent. He would support me in all ways he could. However the support from Nottingham Trent was terrible and below what Rolls-Royce should accept and expect. It seemed like we we not their concern. No communications from course leader, poor communication and lack of planning resulted in them forgetting to arrange our visit to Madrid in the summer. Late feedback and poor feedback.

I would say the support is there when needed and called upon. Rolls-Royce have a HR line but our course line manager is always there to give the required support when needed.

Not the best. I had to move to Derby for the role and had to pay nearly 2000 in moving costs, up front rent, furnishing etc. Graduate are given a joining package, apprentices are not so I struggled for a few months. We are also given no travel allowance for going to university whilst another course gets put up a a good hotel at their university. I also do not like when our pay awards are, end of 1st year, end of second year and 33% of nvq and then 66% of nvq in 3rd year. This does not promote performance related pay. I do feel for the level of work we do, we should be paid slightly more, but it is fair, I just feel the awards should be performance not quantitiy driven.

Yes we get promoted to do STEM and help out at a number of activities such as the AGA (Apprentice and graduade association).

Yes

Its a great opportunity to get them on your CV and it is a really interesting place to work seeing a variety of amazing technologies.

I would say be yourself in interviews. Don't try to show off, RR want to see you for who you are naturally and it is that which will get you places in the business. I would have liked to have been told a bit more about example placements online. I.e. give a case study about a placement in Rotatives or Engine Project as it provides context.