Business Admin Apprenticeship Review

My job title is Business Admin Apprentice. I predominantly work in finance on a day to day basis but sometimes I work with other departments to get an overall business experience. I have a daily tasks lists and most weeks start the same for me, but towards the end of the week I help my colleagues with their work, providing support to the accountants, purchase ledger, cost accountant, financial controller and director.

I have gained an IT qualification. I've learnt so much in this job role, every day is a new learning curve for me. Some skills I've been taught like Microsoft Excel and how to use other various software, but some skills I haven't been taught but rather picked up along the way, like how to hold myself in a professional environment and how to communicate effectively. This job has not only taught me pretty much every skill I know but also has changed me and helped me to mature as a person.

I really enjoy this programme. The people I work with have supported me so much and I feel like part of a family here. The things I do on a day to day basis are very much suited to my skills which means most days I come into work and I'm not worried about work. But also at the same time I am kept stimulated and on my toes with new challenges. The company has been a good company to work for.

I feel very valued at Tulip. I know my manager appreciates me and most of the time I know any work I do for anybody in the business is always appreciated, I do get regular appraisals. I know that my job role here is important and that also makes me feel valued.

My programme was a bit slow to start off with, recently its been much better. The training has been a bit slow but I feel we are going at a much better pace now. I always have support. The college I do my course with are really good they are pretty organized and I am on track.

My training provider provides a lot of support when my assessor is here visiting me. They have a website I can always access and my assessor has said I can contact her any time I want. They could probably provide a bit more support while my assessor isn't here and check up on me more, but to be honest I don't feel that I need that?

My employer is very supportive, there have been many times I can think of where they have gone out their way to support me when they didn't necessarily have to. Not only have they supported me at work but they have also continuously supported me when issues have arisen in my personal life, for example when I broke my ankle.

Currently I live with my parents and don't drive so at the moment I feel my salary meets my living costs, however when I do eventually move out and learn to drive I will probably struggle slightly more. However I know I earn minimum wage which is much more than the Apprentice National wage so I can only be grateful for that. I hope to progress salary wise once I finish my course.

There are many opportunities outside work, for example I worked at the local school for a day interviewing year 11 students and I got invited to the Apprenticeship awards in Birmingham. They are always offering various opportunities outside of work, its just that sometimes it is difficult for me as I don't drive.

Yes

The opportunities I have been given inside the business to progress my career. I'm pretty certain the opportunities I have been given are rarely given to apprentices/people my age and I'm always grateful and counting my blessings that they have literally said to me we want to help you to decide what career path you want to go down and then help you develop your career, whatever that may be. I've been given complete control and I get to decide what I want to do, knowing that pretty much every door they have here is open for me if I want it! I feel very lucky.

Do it! Don't be scared because its honestly one of the best decisions I have made in a very long time. Being in a professional environment like this has really helped me get my brain into gear and my life on track. Its so important to develop this mindset at an as early age as possible.