Manufacturing Apprentice Review

My day to day role as a manufacturing apprentice involves coming in and updating the management team on the projects which I am working on. I am currently working on getting a new building up and running for commercial supply, so there are quite a few different projects which I am a part of to do with that. I am also helping the production staff with their continuous improvement of the area, and so, I meet with them to go through ideas and look at what progress has been made with regards to improving the area. I spend about 2 days a week working on my college and university work.

I am currently studying for an engineering HNC and a Foundation Degree in Chemistry, and both of these courses are teaching me a lot of new underpinning knowledge and also practical skills for working in the pharmaceutical environment. There are lots of training courses, both internal and external, some of which are certificated and recognised qualifications. It has been really good to have the opportunity to complete these.

I work with an enthusiastic and friendly team, who are always willing to help me out. I think the work I do is important, and so far, GSK has proved to be a very thoughtful company to work for. I really enjoy my job, and am really happy to be doing the studying that comes with it.

The reward and recognition mind set at GSK is very forefront. I get a lot of recognition when I do well, and I am given the opportunity to do real work which actually makes a difference to people. Some of the work I do feels like something that a person who has been working here for years should be doing.

Being the first manufacturing apprentice on my site, there were some hiccups at the start of my programme, And to start off with, it honestly didn't feel very well organised. But when I took these feelings to my manager and the early talent team and was very quickly involved in actively improving my apprenticeship and tailoring it to me. Now that I am in my 2nd year, I couldn't be happier with the way things are laid out. I have a full detailed plan of work and of education.

When it comes to contact and support from my education providers, It has been a tad lacking in that I am doing both of my qualifications through a distance learning platform. I have phone numbers and email contacts for all of my tutors/advisors, but it can sometime take a while for them to get back to me.

The amount of support I receive from my manager and Mentor is excellent. I really feel that everyone I report to is invested in my success. My mentor especially always knows the right person to speak to or approach to take if I have any issues (either professional or personal)

The salary is competitive, and there are lots of bonus schemes and rewards which you can get involved in, however the area which I work and live in is really very expensive. I have unfortunately had to move house twice during my apprenticeship so far, and it has been a bit of a struggle when this has happened.

There is a good amount of opportunities outside of work, the company holds events for employees a few times a year, both at Christmas and during the summer it holds a family day. There are lots of gyms and sports clubs in the local area, quite a few of which provide discounts for gsk employees. There are voluntary initiatives and charity fund raising activities regularly throughout the year at work.

Yes

GSK has proven to be a really good company to work for, and they have really taken my wants and needs into consideration when it comes to organising the apprenticeship and what I want to get out of it. I enjoy the wide range of opportunities which I get and all the different areas of the business which I get to experience. It was a friend who originally convinced me to apply, and I am so glad that she did.

I think that when it comes to applying for a role in a large company like this, it is easy to get caught up in what you think they want you to show them. A lot of the people on my interview day seemed to be a bit 'rabbit in the headlights'. But I think that they are looking at you as a person, and they would want to see how you would fit in with the 'family'. Just relax and be yourself, take interest in what you are interested in, not what you think they want you to be interested in. Be an individual.