Rating

7.9/10
  • 1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
  • My role is the development chef apprentice. Involved in assisting all the chefs in day-to-day development jobs. Including making samples for various customers, including the main supermarket charts. Involved in developing products from various briefs set out by the customers, including the major supermarkets. Working on development days, and innovation lunches and dinners.

    10/10

  • 2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
  • Use various costing models when working on products and trying to develop them. Ensuring sample requests are done to a very high standard, all weights of ingredients and deposits are correct. Do various taste panels, benchmarking sessions. Visiting various customers, including the main supermarkets etc. Working on a food technology college course.

    10/10

  • 3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
  • Really enjoy the work-based side of the apprenticeship, working closely with different departments of the development team. College is generally going okay, sometimes unsure how the course helps my specific job, but quite early on in the course. So willing to wait to see how it develops in the future.

    9/10

  • 4. How valued do you feel by Bakkavor?
  • Very valued from the key members of the development team, been given high pressured and key tasks to do, which I wouldn't of expected a apprentice to be given. Invited to all the team building activities. Also, invited to meetings with important customers. Regular feedback from the management team, is positive, so feel valued.

    10/10

  • 5. How well organised/structured is your programme?
  • Work based learning is very well organised. However, college, is somewhat unorganised at times, and communication can be poor. Induction at the company was very informative and I learnt a lot of vital information when visiting the factory. Have a mentor who is very experienced in the business and the job so his advice has been very well received.

    7/10

  • 6a. How much support do you receive from your training provider?
  • Very well supported with the work-based learning, and tutors at the college are very good. their knowledge of the subject is very good. and any queries I've had have been quickly answered with lots of information. I have been enjoying learning new skills, but unsure sometimes how the two are linked, especially some of the subjects.

    7/10

  • 6b. How much support do you receive from your employer?
  • Business has been very supporting, from HR to the development team. Through my mentors to my managers. Get regularly appraisals from my line manager and HR which is really beneficial, as it lets me know where I am with my work and development which helps a lot. Any problems I've had have been dealt with very promptly.

    10/10

  • 7. How well does your salary/package meet your costs?
  • Salary is generally good here for apprentices. However, the drop in salary from my old job, has been a big change! Transport is ok to work, as I am living in the area. However, college is a bit of a trek away, but the business pays for all the travelling costs which is very good. All other expenses is dealt with by the finance team.

    3/10

  • 8. Are there many opportunities outside of work?
  • Been involved in team building nights out with the department. Also, been to a apprentice day out to Peterborough, which was good. there are sport clubs around the area but not linked with the apprenticeship. Looking to join a local football team and the gym. Which I am looking forward to.

    5/10

  • 9. Would you recommend Bakkavor to a friend?
  • Yes


  • 9b. Why?
  • Really good business to work for with great perks - e.g. staff shop, company shop. etc. The work based learning is really good. Learn lots of new skills very early on and given responsibilities and tasks you wouldn't imagine an apprentice to get so early on in their job role .


  • 10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Bakkavor?
  • Be yourself through the interviews, and don't be phased if you have to do a presentation as they aren't that bad! Ask lots of questions. During the assessment days listen and think about all the tasks before rushing in. Try and relax in the interviews too, don't be put off by any questions. And try to remember the company's core values.


Details

Level 3 Apprenticeship

North West

January 2018


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