Process development technician Review

I work in process development in the unilever deodorants R&D team. the core role involves designing factory processes to produce antiperspirant aerosols and roll ons around the world. I have been responsible for processes on multi-million pound projects which gives a great sense of purpose.

I have learnt so much over the last 5 years at unilever I cant describe! my confidence since leaving school has moved on so much I am like a different person, ive gone from being unhappy about ringing other people up to presenting technical data infront of hundreds of people. apart from the obvious training through the degree program, I have been encouraged to develop my rheology understanding (a field of fluid dynamics) and the company has paid for me to attend courses at various institutions.

I have enjoyed my program immensely. I always pride myself on saying that im happy to get up and go to work, it still doesn't feel like a chore, it keeps my energy high which is excellent. The teams at unilever include you fully and you are given responsibilities that I wouldn't have expected when I first signed up for the course. I have been able to learn a lot about myself over the last few years, what I like and what I want to do, that I don't feel I would have figured out doing a pure degree program.

Very Valued. as I have already mentioned, the responsibility I, and the other apprentices are given is no different to any other full time employee. I personally have been flown to Manila to run factory trials for a large project in previous years, this did wonders for my sense of purpose and helped me want to push myself forward in all of my work and university.

My program was very well organised at unilever, they aim to treat us as 'normal' employees so we follow all of the standard traning practices. we are given a mentor in the early years to make sure we have another person to turn to, as well as the usual lines of support usch as line managers. My degree program was less well organised but this is not a fault of unilever, It turned out that I was the only person on the part time chemical engineering course so the university shut the course down and I have had to fit into the part time course. it has meant teaching myself a lot of the course but it has also taught me a lot about self discipline and I actually think it has benefited me in the long run.

I have had a good amount of support from my tutor [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyApprenticeship Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] at hull university, having to sort out a bespoke program for me every year. It has been quite a difficult journey but I feel it Is still going well. I would have liked to have had a perfectly set up degree program but I also appreciate this is the way of the world sometimes and It has definitely helped me grow as a person and get a lot more self reliant.

I have always been the sort of person that would rather figure something out myself than go and ask for help (to my down fall im sure). One thing I have been happy about at unilever is how you get the support if you ask for it but it isn't forced on you. At the start of the program we have weekly catch ups with our mentors but this is something that drops off as and when you want it to. the idea is to help you become a fully fledged member of staff and I have really valued being treated like an adult from the early days. Overall the attitude from all of the staff towards apprentices is fantastic, most of them don't even realise we are apprentices which makes you feel good about your skills in your field.

Overall it has been good, I have never felt like I cant do anything I want to do and have been able to go on holiday and save a bit. I don't think I could really ask for more considering the money they spend on our degree and the time off work they give us every week!

Unilever prides its self on the wellbeing of its staff and it shows with the opportunities outside of work. I couldn't list all of the events and volunteering things I have either attended or had the opportunity to attend, I could do a lot more than I have chosen to. Again, we are treated the same as any other member of staff and its fantastic to get to know people outside of work.

Yes

I have been pushed so far from where I was when I started the program in 2012. I always say that I have learned more at unilever than I have at university, and I have learned a lot at uni! Allthough student loans aren't as crippling as people often make out, it is nice to know that I have earned everything I have myself and it hasn't cost my parents anything for me to get a degree.

Make sure you read up on what the company does and the specific degree program that is attached to the specific program. Make sure you are happy to sacrifice the 'university life' as this is something that definitely goes out of the window, you cant drink on a school night, if that's something you want then a straight degree is probably for you.