Modelling and Informatics Apprentice Review

I am a Modelling and Informatics Apprentice. I mainly work in Bioinformatics but have had an introduction to modelling previously. I go to university once a week to study Data Science as part of my apprenticeship. Most of my time is taken up by learning and practicing code - I have mainly been using R, JavaScript and Pilot script but also have some experience with Python and Java. The scripts I have written have been used to aid data analysis within my department.

Before I started the apprenticeship, I did not know any computer programming languages and university gave me the basic principles of coding through Java and Python. This introduction to computer programming is what has then allowed me to progress and learn other computing languages which I use to build tools for data analysis. Other than coding I have started to learn skills such as analysis of gene expression data, which has been taught to me via a Bioinformatician confident in the subject.

Overall, I do really enjoy the programme. I enjoy my days at work more than I do at university as I work much better when I am challenged but also I am much more interested in biology than I am computer science. I don't think it was made clear when I applied how coding heavy my role would be but to my surprise I have really gotten in to it. I would prefer my job role to have more data analysis in it as I accepted the apprenticeship thinking I would be involved in biological data. Sometimes my work load can be really quiet and therefore days seem long but this is just the nature of work in R&D. I have found it is partly up to your line manager to find and set work for you to complete but also work expect you to go out and find your own work and include yourself in activities you want to be in. The environment I work in is very relaxed and flexible. I appreciate this as it comes in useful at times I need to work at home. I am proud to work for Unilever and I am genuinely interested in my department's work.

I feel valued by my close colleagues and manager for the work I do. As my role involves building tools to help others work within the department I cannot comment on value from the wider company but I do feel Unilever, as a whole, cares about each of their employees.

I don’t think the apprenticeship is a very structured as a learning program as mainly our university isn’t of a high standard and taught learnings at work only occurs as and when I need it and not via a thorough plan, although I still have learnt a lot. I regularly feel like a normal employee as there isn’t a specific plan for my development, I do work as when it comes and learn independently as I go. It feels like some of the work which occurs in my department requires high levels of expertise and experience and work is finding it hard to teach us this knowledge.

University is terribly organised and standards of teaching are low but not everyone on the apprenticeship go to my university. My line manager is aware of the problems and contacts the uni to address the problems.

I know at work if I am struggling my manager will find someone to help me, and this help has usually been effective. For example, I wanted to understand gene expression technologies and he set up regular sessions with another Bioinformatician to teach me- these were really enjoyable and useful for me. I was able to ask for a mentor so I chose someone who has a similar work role as me and this works very well for me as an opportunity to ask those ‘stupid’ questions I may be embarrassed to ask my wider team. She is also available to me to support me when I have any non-work related issues. Sometimes I struggle to understand the science behind my work as I lack some of the scientific knowledge, but support is given as and when I need it. It can be hard with only A-level science to keep up with some scientific conversations and areas of work when everyone around you has degrees and PhDs etc and I sometimes think that this is not appreciated as much as maybe it should be. However, when I have actively spoke up and asked for help or explanations there has been no problem. I am very happy with my line manager as I have regular catch ups with him and he is very supportive. I find the catch ups very useful because it makes him aware of the work I am doing and I have time to ask any questions I have. My line manager changed shortly after i started because I expressed an interest in a specific area. This shows that Unilever will accommodate to your need where possible.

Pay is very good here especially for an apprenticeship. Unilever do not pay us as apprentices according to the set minimum apprentice wage but instead base your salary on your work level. Pay increases are discussed every year and decided based on that years performance. Every expense included in the one day at university I spend a week is paid for by Unilever. This includes the course fees, travel, books and lunch. This is incredible useful as it means we are never out of pocket because of university.

Colworth park is a great place to work. It’s a large site with lots of open space which is used for sport/socialising etc. We have café/restaurant on site available where most people go for lunchtime. One thing I do really like about the site is there are lots of club and sports available to get involved in (although I haven’t taken advantage of this) as well as an on site gym. Something which may make Colworth stand out from other locations is that we have a sports and social club (pretty much a pub) on site which many people use for a beer at lunchtime or events after work. Within the apprentice community, we have a team I am involved in to organised fundraising events for charity. This is a new team, but I am excited to get going organising some events! One thing which you could see as a disadvantage of this apprenticeship is missing out on having a ‘uni student lifestyle’, however the apprentices at Colworth meet up outside of work for various social events. For example, previously we have participated in charity events, escape rooms, go karting, paintballing and had nights out together.

Yes

Because apprentices at Unilever aren't treated as stereotypical apprentices instead we work on proper projects, with good pay and good opportunities. The learning development hasn’t been as structured as I may have wanted it, but I know Unilever is very supported and encouraging when it comes to development and therefore if you want to do something and ask, 9 time out of 10 you can. There are lots of benefits which comes with working with Unilever. One being flexible working meaning you have the chance work at home or change your working hours one day as long your work is up to standard. Unilever also offer bupa health care, deals on buying shares and retail discounts. It also is genuinely an interesting place to work. I feel especially in R&D, the work we do here is quite unique.

Make sure you have work experience or are involved in something like prove you are ready to work and work within a team. Unilever will look for confident individuals who are ready to jump straight into things. They do not want to spoon feed their apprentices.