R&D Apprentice Review

As a Refreshment Research and Development apprentice, my daily role involves supporting projects to create new products and processes, as well as improve existing ones. This can involve a mixture of computer work, meetings, and lab work, particularly the analysis of samples. I also attend university part-time via distance learning, and am able to use part of my work day to complete any assignments set.

Through both work and university I've developed my communication and organisational skills, as well as academic skills such as report writing and lab work. There are plenty of internal training opportunities across a range of topics which can be accessed online or through organised workshops, and as part of my role I've also been trained to use various types of analytical equipment.

The company culture and community within my department makes work enjoyable, with most people making an effort to make me feel part of the team as a new starter. There are also lots of events to get involved with, such as sporting clubs and team building activities. While very tiring, the week-long study blocks at university are a good opportunity to socialise with others from the food industry and learn from their experiences.

Most people treat me as a regular employee who can contribute to their teams, and I am given a lot of responsibility for some projects with the aim of really developing my skills and understanding of the role. We also have the same opportunities for recognition as regular employees, and have the same benefits as everyone else.

The overall system for my programme is well structured - with a plan for me to spend two years in my first placement, then have three one-year placements after that, which will give me the opportunity to experience a range of roles. University is also usually quite well organised, with timetables for distance learning assignments being sent out between each study block so we can plan our work accordingly. However, I'm not always clear on my planned role within some projects which can be quite stressful, but is something I feel able to raise with my manager.

Our lecturers are very easy to contact and usually reply to emails very quickly. We have all been assigned an academic tutor who is our main point of contact if we have any concerns, and who occasionally carries out work place visits to ensure our employer is giving us enough support for the scheme. I do however sometimes feel as though we are expected to know more than we do, as most of the people on our course have worked in the industry for many years so have a lot more experience than us.

I have been given a workplace mentor who is always willing to help and give advice, and most people in my team are very supportive and prepared to help out if needed. We have also started regular apprentice meetings to discuss any problems we have and find possible solutions to help us get the best out of our experiences.

The salary is very good compared to a stereotypical apprentice, and is enough to cover my bills and costs of living away from home while still being able to save. All accommodation, travel, and food for university is paid for through the company expenses system, as well as any resources we need for study.

There are many activities available on site, such as sporting clubs and fitness classes. There is also an onsite gym which is very affordable. Most teams also encourage team building activities which are always good opportunities to get to know people. There are also a lot of charity and fundraising events across site.

Yes

The scheme is a good opportunity to get started with a career while also being able to get a fully funded degree. It's a great opportunity to learn about the industry from the perspective of numerous roles through the rotation system, and the relaxed culture meant that as a new starter I quickly settled in.

It is better to apply early as the application process can take a long time and shouldn't be rushed. Definitely prepare and research the company, particularly their brands and values as these can be brought up in both the video interview and assessment day. The assessment day can be quite tiring so get lots of rest before it, and use the day to find out as much as you can about the scheme - ask lots of questions and try to relax and be confident in your abilities.