Manufacturing Apprentice Review

I am a manufacturing apprentice. My job role consists of project work, developing machinery efficiency and designing new things such as sample points on pipework. I also have to do lots of sampling and tests to ensure any changes made have the correct effect on the product.

Since joining Nestle I have becoming much more confident when talking and interacting with new people, as well as presenting back my findings. I have become more confident in sharing my ideas too, and challenging existing ways. I am working towards a Level 3 Trailblazer in Food and Drink Operations.

I really enjoy this apprenticeship because every day is different. The people who work here are incredibly friendly, helpful and knowledgeable - and they are willing to share it with you.

I feel valued by Nestle as a few of the projects I am either involved in or I am leading are quite big. They affect the factory on a large scale and are important in ensuring Neslte's Asset Intensity is as great as can be.

The area that I work in is structured like any normal day to day job. I come in, and will either have something to be getting on with, or I will go and find something that needs working on. It is structured well as they try to move apprentices round the majority of departments to ensure as much knowledge is gained of the factory, as possible.

With my apprenticeship, we don't attend college and so I think that automatically makes it feel like we get less 'help' in that department. I think our qualification is more independent to help us develop more.

My manager supports me a lot. We have weekly reviews discussing what I have been doing in the week and making sure I'm on target with everything. I also have a mentor who helps me when I'm struggling with any projects. Other people who I work alongside also contribute greatly.

Very well as at the moment I do not have my own house and so only pay a small fee to my parents every month. I live fairly close to work and so my travel costs are relatively low. I think when I eventually move out, I would struggle on the wage I am on at the moment, as I pay for my (first year) car insurance, tax, phone bills etc. However, after I finish my apprenticeship, my wage will increase and be enough to support. I think the wages here are exceptional.

I have participated in a few events outside of work. Events such as the skills show - where students go to look at potential job roles for them. I have represented Nestle apprentices at a round table event in London, speaking about my work life inside the food and drink industry. I have been to the Dalston factory for a few days to see how their factory differs to ours. At the beginning of the apprenticeship, all first years from the whole UK went to 'Rashleighs' which is a big house in Maidenhead to help with networking, team building and socialising. We also have away days where we are taken out of our work site to present what we have been getting involved in, and to discuss our objectives and targets, as well as how well we think we are doing.

Yes

It's a global company with massive amounts of opportunities for those who work for it. There are opportunities to work in various departments throughout the factory, from working in the factory, on projects, in the health and safety team, in the training team, in the office and so on. You also get lots of rewards and advantages for working for them too which I wasn't aware of! eg discounts

Take your time with the application process, and answer them honestly - not how you think they want you to answer them. Don't panic too much about the interviews, they aren't there to catch you out - just to see what kind of a person you are!