IT apprentice Review

I am an IT apprentice at GSK and I am studying with the Open University, aiming to qualify with a foundation degree in computing and IT, at the end of the three years. On a day-to-day basis I have a wide variety of tasks, such as delivering services, printers, website design and getting involved in projects on site. I have interactions internally with staff members on site, I help mostly with web design. I also interact with the IT department at a different location, as our IT team work together. We work across boundaries with the others on a regular basis. I have interactions with external companies, when getting involved with printers, new software and also when studying with the Open University. I have been involved in a few projects since starting in September 2016. The most recent project is the upgrade to Office 2016 from Office 2007. I am the lead for this project at Ulverston and requires a lot of responsibility, however I am equipped with the best recourses and support. In work I also have time to study for the Open University and complete modules.

From my apprenticeship I have gained many skills that I can use on a daily basis. I have been involved in many training courses internally such as, health and safety courses, and outward bound course that helped me gain skills for working as part of a team. My apprenticeship has also offered great opportunities. As stated previously the Outward Bound residential helped me learn how to work with different people and as part of a team. I learned skills for life. Also GSK has given me the opportunity to become a STEM ambassador (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), which is an external company promoting STEM subjects. I think this develops many skills, such as working with different ages, learning more about our customers and becoming a more confident speaker to a larger audience.

I really enjoy my programme. I have a really good team to work with, who made me feel comfortable and welcome when I first arrived. My manager is really easy to talk to if I have any problems and we work well as part of a team. The programme has also helped me get involved with the other apprentices, and we are all really good friends from this. The company focus's on their values most importantly and I think that it makes my job role feel important, knowing that I am contributing to help the patient at the end of the supply chain. This also links with the culture. It met my expectations, as I knew it was a really good company to work for and they have offered me lots of opportunities. I am only a few months into my apprenticeship and I am still really enjoying it.

I feel valued by GSK, especially through co-workers and my manager. I have received recognition by other co-workers for great jobs I have helped them with. I feel valued from receiving feedback from the Open University, knowing that I am receiving good scores and doing the company proud.

My apprenticeship is very well structured. I have modules set by the Open University over the period of the three years. My manager always sets me work to complete so I am never bored. I have a mentor on site that I can go to for any support or help, however I can also speak to my manager about any problems.

I receive a lot of support and guidance off my manager and co-workers, if I am struggling to understand something. They are accessible most of the time. Sometimes it is hard to receive guidance off my tutor from the Open university, as it is email communication and can often take a while for them to reply.

I receive a lot of support from my manager and we have monthly one-to-one meetings to make sure I am understanding everything, and if I have any problems. I can always go to my mentor if I have any problems, all are supportive of me and what I do.

My salary meets my costs, I pay for my car (and petrol) which is quite a lot a month, however my pay package covers this and can be spread across a month.

There are groups outside of work to get involved with such as a sailing group. There is a local community centre/sports centre for sports and the gym.

Yes

I would recommend my apprenticeship to a friend because it offers loads of opportunities that other jobs wouldn't. You can learn on the job and receive a qualification at the end of it, all paid for and well structured. The company gives huge amounts of support and makes you feel valued as an individual.

I would say just be yourself in the interview, because they look at who you are as a person and what your values are. On assessment days dress smartly and revise about the company before applying so you know what to expect.