Accounts Apprentice Review

I am the Accounts Apprentice at BQP which is involved in Pig production. My tasks are set on a weekly basis which I work through via timetable. My tasks vary greatly and can consist of anything from a Month End Pack to helping organise a Bake Off! I also attend college for 3 1/2 hours a week to study for my qualification.

I have developed my Excel skills, and my confidence levels have been pushed by attending Apprentice Days with all other apprentices in the country when meeting at the head quarters in Warwick. My training is also falling into place by having a mentor within the company and working closely with my team and line manager.

My programme is very varied, and there are many more roles within the company than I had predicted. I have also joined the SSC (Staff Social Committee) which has led to me getting involved in many other activities including a Staff BBQ, Secret Santa and Christmas Raffle which I have found very enjoyable!

My manager is very understanding and I work closely with my team who support me in all tasks I do, both in and out of the office. For example, if I need extra help with my college work my line manager is more than happy to put time aside to go through actvities with me. There is also a close support network from senior staff within the business such as Sam who organises the apprenticeships within Tulip whom I have a review meeting with every couple of months.

My Induction covered all aspects of the business, however did not give such an insight into the agriculture side of the business, although this is being amended. My training provider had a change of tutor since the beginning of my course and training at college has throroughly improved having been given lots of material to practice with at home. Through college I am assigned an assessor who is very involved in what I do and I can get in contact with at any time, simialrly to the mentor I am assigned by the company. I also do lots of 'off the job' training and have been able to visit many of the BQP farms.

Through the apprenticeship scheme I have both a tutor at college and an assessor who comes to visit me at work. The college also implement the 'Smart Assessor' portal from which I can upload work and see any resources relating to my AAT course as well as log my time spent 'Off the Job'as this should be 20% of my time working.

I receive lots of support from my fellow team members in Accounts who have all taught me various Accounts related tasks but also with getting to grips with wokring life which has settled me into my role. I meet with my Mentor who holds a postion within a different team at BQP for a catch up and to see how I am settling in once a month. If I have any problems I am able to share with Anna my Line Manager at any point, although we also have a PDR which is an official catch up where objectives are set, and I can then review if they are met at a later date.

Since being a student my salary is very competitive compared to other apprentices of a similar age. The company is more than willing to cover my travel costs to apprentice days. As well as cover the costs of books, membership fees and training. In addition we also have the opportunity for Staff Sales which is a meat bag for £3 brimming with Waitrose products!

By being a Tulip employee, you have the opportunity to sign up to MyTulipRewards, this allows you to receive discounts and cash back at all major shops. In additon by joining the SSC there are many opportunies such as Theatre Trips, Ceramic Painting and staff events.

Yes

Tulip has been very welcoming from my interview right through to having worked for the company for nearly 4 months! The staff have all been welcoming since day one and are more than happy to guide you or offer information about any aspect of the business. My transition between Sixth Form and working life was much simpler than I ever realised, and by having an apprenticeship i still get to attend college which means I achieve a happy work/school balance.

The application process was easy,I applied through the Governemnt Apprenticeships website where I received confirmation from the company of an interview. I then attended a 1st and 2nd stage interview at Stradbroke where I would be based as well as a tour around the building. I would without a doubt apply again to be where I am now :)