Materials Apprentice Review

My job title is Materials Apprentice and my role is in the Materials department within the business. This department is responsible for all the parts that come in and making sure they do in time etc. My daily roles include; running the shortage reports to see what parts we are missing, to look at the KPI's to see if operators are performing as efficiently as possible among other things. I have daily interactions with the other materials employees and have been involved with many projects with them. Projects such as re-organising the small parts room to make it easier for workeers to find everything they need as quickly as possible.

I have learnt many new skills while working here. Basic skills such as time management, working in a team and on projects with other people and IT skills such as Excel. Not only this but i have also learnt about the business and how it operates, as well as how engines work! I am also working towards a level 3 NVQ in business admin this year which has taught me a lot about businesses and different skills and techniques i can use in the workplace. I have been involved in training courses on health and safety and ergonomics which have helped me in lifting and sitting correctly etc.

I am really enjoying the apprenticeship. It has been a good way to start in the world of work and feel it is a lot more useful than university as it gives a view of what the working world is like. The people i work with are all very nice and help me with everything i need. I was looking for an apprenticeship that gave me a step into the working life and i feel this has been perfect for me. I have enjoyed everything so far and will be learning a lot more skills as i progress through the apprenticeship.

I do feel valued at Cummins. My supervisor and colleagues are all very appreciative when i complete a job for them and they all help me out if/when i need them to. I also am asked my other colleagues in different departments to help them with things such as setting up new users on the Oracle systems. When completed they are very thankful and recognise the work i have completed.

The programme is structured well i feel. I am the first apprentice the company has had strictly in the materials department however i feel i have been looked after well and a good system is in place. On my first day i was given an induction and told all about health and safety and where to turn to if i needed any help. For every new task i have been given i have been shown what to do well. I will be learning many different skills from office based to fork-lift driving and a good plan is in place for me.

Also i get good guidance and have been given the tools i need to seek help if i need it regarding the education side of the apprenticeship. My assessor gives me good feedback so i know what i need to do for the next visit. She is good at showing me what i have done well but also at saying what i need to add and where i can find this information

I get good support from my supervisor and if i have any troubles/problems i can talk to him as well as HR. There are many people who can provide support within the company which is nice. Everyone at the business is very friendly and so far i have not had any issues!

The salary is above the minimum and it is not bad at all! It increases every year. Although the first year can be hard to get from month to month as i live fairly far away so travel can cost a lot! But no real issues with the pay, i manage to do everything i need to in the month

Cummins runs the EEEC programme which helps to provide voluntary work to local projects which is a good way to feel like you are giving back. Also it hosts Christmas parties and has a football team which can play against other businesses, so it does offer a range of activities outside of work! Before i started at Cummins i was in sixth-form and i feel the same opportunities, if not more are offered here as was there, which is a good thing!

Yes

I feel like Cummins has been a great first full-time employer for me and has really allowed me to grow as a person as well as giving me a good introduction to what the working world is like. It offers different apprenticeships and a chance to try lots of different things in the business so you can find the place you enjoy the most or that you are the best at!

The application process is tough as it is a massive company and so gets a lot of applications! I would say be confident during the interview, find out about the business and show that you are interested in it. Prepare a good presentation for the assessment day and practise a lot for it, you need to show you are confident!