Network Planner Review

I am currently in a network planning role, however I am due to transfer to our Thatcham depot as an apprentice transport team manager. At present, my daily tasks include planning as robustly and efficiently as possible, adhering to restrictions and budgetary constraints while maintaining a friendly and professional image for the team and head office as a whole while communicating with depots.

I have seen my excel skills increase considerably since beginning my role within Gist. This is due to the extensive use of microsoft excel within my role, utilised in the form or reporting, tracking and producing KPIs. I have grown in confidence while dealing with depots due to the strong links and working relationships I have developed in my day to day role while communicating with depots be it via phone or email.

I enjoy my job and get on very well with my team. I enjoy and fully utilise opportunities to get out to depots and meet new people within the organisation who I may not necessarily have dealings with in my day to day role. I have met numerous other apprentices based at various other sites via networking events and team building days which have allowed for a strong bond between the apprentices company wide. I am nearing completion of my first year of qualifications which has met my expectations in the form of the workload and support necessary to push it to completion.

There is a culture of well being in my team and at the office in which I'm currently based. I do not feel as though I am viewed upon any differently just because I am an apprentice and I have grabbed every opportunity to undertake extra work with the trust of my line manager. I have received positive feedback from my external depot with whom I have built a solid working relationship and feel as though I am viewed as a member of their team although I am based externally from them.

I feel well supported by the current apprentice manager, who always makes herself available when I have queries or need support in any aspect of my role within the scheme. Emma also was a great help in getting me into a new role within the depot in order to undertake a management role which will provide me with invaluable experience alongside a prestigious qualification. I also feel that due to the close bond the apprentices across the network have, I can also reach out to fellow apprentices for support or advice and vice versa.

I have a direct email address, mobile number and office number for my training provider assessor. Whist she is with other learners she cannot answer her phone however she is always quick to reply after her meetings either via email or phone with answers to my queries. My work has been marked and either signed off or feedback provided within good time and feedback is always concise and relevant. My only observation for improvement is that my assessor appears to have a large number of learners and therefore may not have the time to make herself as available as she possibly could do.

I am always able to approach our HR department bet it about pay issues or any other query relating to HR. Our apprentice manager is a great help and is polite, friendly and professional. My manager and team manager are also both fully approachable, and while they may not always be in the office as a large part of their roles involves being on the road visiting depots, they are always available on their mobiles, via email or via skype. Any issues I have had have been discussed openly and rectified in a timely manner and I have always felt that my development has been an important objective of theirs in order for me to fully flourish in my current and any future role I may undertake.

While may first year contract was good when compared with apprentice schemes elsewhere, I felt I struggled due to the drastic decrease in salary from my previous role. However this was my own choice as I wanted to retrain in a new industry and understood I had to start from the bottom. While I struggled through with living, social and travel costs, I received a considerable payrise upon completion of my first year contract to a rate that I feel is now highly competitive. Overall, worth the first year of lower pay in order to get to the point I am at now.

There are many opportunities outside of work to socialize with colleagues and other members of the business. Be it weekly football teams, team meals or leisure / sports clubs based within the business parks. Our team is fairly close, so team meals and social gatherings are commonplace and work very well in boosting team morale and togetherness. No one is excluded and any social events are sent to a pre-saved mailing list which includes every member of our team. Due to the location of our office, we are based fairly close to the town center so there is always a varied list of social activities readily available.

Yes

I have nothing but good things to say about my time at Gist up until now, be it through the apprentice scheme and my current role. I feel that the apprentice scheme is only going to go form strength to strength under the new apprentice manager and it can provide many a positive opportunity to others looking to start a career in logistics. The support network available to you is also a key factor in my recommendation of the scheme, and the feeling of appreciation and value from those above me in the company provides a satisfying and engaging culture.

I would tell other applying to Gist to relax during the application, interview and selection process and to be themselves. A major factor in selection is not only down to key skills, but also attitude, how engaging you appear, friendliness and attitude. The induction process is very thorough and opportunities are made available during your induction schedule to meet and spend time with every different department within the company, providing a point of contact and a brief overview of their responsibilities, and what they do in relation to the role you will be undertaking.