Formulation Scientist Review

R&D Formulation. Tasks include making up formulations and testing. Interactions with line manager are rare, therefore have very little guidance mainly interact with other members of team (similar is true for all team members, however). Responsible for particular (v.small) area of current work. Days are spent planning and carrying out work.

Qualifications will be gained from college and university. Internal training using formulation and measurement equipment. General professional skills from working in a full time job.

Generally very low enjoyment day-to-day. Mainly due to the nature of the work and, in particular, its repetitive nature. Teams are generally good, but management isn't as agreeable. Recent business decisions have reduced moral throughout the company. Overall, this has come in below my expectations.

Not at all. Manager often seemingly forgets about me as an apprentice and overlooks any ability I have. This means involvement in tasks/ projects is very limited.

The structure and support internally is very poor. Almost no support exists for R&D apprentices, this is completely opposed to engineering apprentices, who have lots more support available. Rotations between roles (yearly) are very poorly arranged. Studying is generally okay as this is outsourced to the university, with no involvement from Unilever at all.

Generally good support with regular meetings and staff that are available to contact via email for support. Face-to-face support can be arranged too. However, generally very few serious problems arise that require help. Lots of online facilities and peers available for help. Generally receive help from other apprentices.

Almost no support from the company itself. Main source of support is other apprentices. Feel like there is very little opportunity to contact anyone involved in the scheme for support - often ignored. Therefore very little guidance with problems. No regular meaningful meetings etc.

Salary is good. All costs are covered with some left over each month. There is a view among colleagues that apprentices are over-paid, however.

No events that can be attended by apprentices. Never an opportunity to travel with the company, due to 'costs', despite other staff regularly taking trips. Groups/ clubs outside of work are limited as the majority of staff are older.

No

The R&D apprenticeship is much different to other mainstream apprenticeships. R&D apprentices within Unilever make up a tiny percentage of the overall numbers and, as such, are very rarely recognised. The scheme is poorly ran and badly supported. Most staff internally, including apprentice line managers, have very little knowledge of exactly how the scheme runs - this gives everything a very confused feel. The main issue is that day-to-day enjoyment is almost zero throughout the apprentice community and wider staff.

Seriously consider if this is the correct path/ company for you first as many other routes, schemes and companies are available. The application process is online followed by video and face-to-face interviews. Prepare well and have knowledge of the chemical background, as well as Unilever, it's initiatives and brands.