Development Apprentice Review

I’m a Development Apprentice and my main roles are to carry out weekly benchmarking sessions for BOS salads, dressings and dips, make up samples in the kitchen and support chefs in making up products, conducting nutritional and coatings of products, paperwork such as submission forms and handover documents for products with the potential to be launched.

I have learnt many skills since starting Bakkavor. Some of these are from college weeks, however the majority are on the job. Everything I have carried out for the first time has been new to me, however I have developed some original skills such as time management and organisation. These have had to be developed in order for me to be as efficient in my current job role as possible.

Currently, I am really enjoying my programme as I’m learning loads whilst at work and developing lots of skills. Every day is different and I feel very supported my the rest of my team, not only at work, but with my college studies as well. It’s quite full on, but i feel I’m gaining lots out of it.

Within my team at Bakkavor, I’ve been made to feel very welcome and everyone has been there to give advice and support when needed. As a whole, I feel Bakkavor tries to make apprentices feel valued, and by organising some ‘get-togethers’ with other apprentices, tries to integrate everyone to make a community network.

My programme is very well structured from my training provider. I have been given all th help and support i require, as well as additional support being provided if its required. Online tutorials have taken place to help myself and other students to understand modules which i have also found very useful.

I have been given a lot of support from my training provider. On my first college week I was made to feel very welcome and we were given different lectures, explaining the different support methods that were going to be available for me as i was a distance learner. Library books can be posted to my home address and lectures can happen on collaborate so we can hear the lecturer talking hilts we’re going through.a module. Overall i feel my training provider have been really supportive so far.

From my immediate team at work, I’ve been given a lot of support. From my studies to day-to-day tasks, everyone has been really supportive and given me help when needed. From people outside of my immediate team, support has still been there, but i feel it could be stronger to make me feel a bit more at ease. For example, having a phone call or an email sent after my first college week to see how I’d got on, would’ve made me feel like the company are looking forward in investing me and have my studies as a priority with apprentices. Having said that, support is always available from many different people.

At the moment because I’m still living at home, my salary is covering alll of my costs, however i fear if i choose to move away from home, my salary will not cover all expenditures. Hopefully, when the time comes for me to move away from home, i will have progressed further into the business, therefore being able to afford to live more comfortably.

At the moment, i haven’t really been guided as to other opportunities outside of work, however I’m sure as i settle into my job role more and have more involvement within the company, i will be kept in the look about upcoming opportunities.

Yes

They are very inclusive and welcoming to apprentices and i feel they have good prospects for progression in a variety of different departments. I have been given a lot of support since i first started at Bakkavor and I think this will only continue to grow over time. I would definitely recommend bakavor to a friend.

I would recommend people who are wanting to join Bakkavor to do their research before hand. In any job role, a knwoledge on the company and different categories that they work with is vital to gain the most out of their job role. I would also tell people not to be afraid of hard work. As a development apprentice, we often have to stay later to ensure submission forms and other paperwork are completed for deadlines.