Process development technician Review

I work in research and development for Unilever in the deodorants category. I have spent the last year in a European deploy role, the previous 5 years were in global design. My current role involves taking products that have been designed by our global counterparts and deploying them into European markets. This involves a lot of communication between a significant amount of functions, both inside Unilever and out.

In my time here I have learned a significant number of skills. My main development has been in confidence and professional behaviour. I have also learned how to manage my time effectively having to work on global R&D work while completing a degree at the same time. I have had opportunities to travel the world and deal with other cultures, and have even got a forklift license.

I have enjoyed the work aspect of my programme significantly. The team at my site is around 200 people, and there are many young people to interact with. Having the more experienced people on site adds a great dynamic to it and gives you the opportunity to learn a lot. My university course has been less enjoyable as a result of the course having logistical issues, the people at both university and Unilever have done their best to make it as smooth as possible for me, however.

Unilever has taken on a large number of apprentices at various levels and in different functions over the 6 years I have been with the company, therefore our presence is becoming more and more ‘normal’ every year. I personally feel I am treated the same as any other ‘normal’ employee, and it is one of my favourite moments when people tell me they didn’t realise I was on the apprentice scheme, as we work the same as any other employee.

I was one of the first apprentices onto the higher scheme on my site and the scheme had obviously had a significant amount of time put into its planning prior to my arrival. As the years have progressed the scheme has become even more polished for those who have joined subsequently, building on the experience of the initial apprentices. We are given adequate time to conduct our studies and our performance at university is always taken as the number one priority.

My training provider (Hull university) have been a mixed bag for me. The individual staff, especially the module leader, have been fantastic and have gone to every effort to help me. The problem is that I was the only apprentice to apply for the course in three years (none of the local companies decided to take up the same course) so it become uneconomical for the university to carry on the course as a part time process. I ended up doing a completely bespoke program

We are given one day off work every week (in term time) to go to university and do our lectures. We are also given time off to do exams, as well as study leave for exams. Unilever also cover the cost of any expenses incurred on the way to and from university, including the travel. In the 6 years I have been here and the 3 managers I’ve had, I’ve never felt pressure to put work in front of study, nor have I seen anyone else be put under pressure. There is also a large amount of people working here that have done the same degrees and are always willing to help.

The higher apprentices at Unilever have a defined salary which rises a significant amount every year, on the condition that we pass all of our exams and are generally performing at a good level. I live in my own flat, run a car and am able to go on holidays so I believe I am being compensated a good amount considering the support we are also receiving for our careers.

All of the teams I have worked with have arranged things outside of work and generally enjoy going out together and doing things. It is nice that Unilever hires so many young people that there is a good amount of like minded people. There are football games regularly being organised, as well as the usual nights out.

Yes

Joining Unilever out of A level was the best decision I have ever made. I will admit there are times where I wished I had gone to university full time, but these feelings are generally short lived. I have been especially happy about my decision after seeing many of my friends who went down the full time route, finish their degrees and struggle at getting on the career ladder. I know I will never have to struggle for that first bit of genuine experience that they will, and that is the most valuable part of the entire program to me.

I would advise that they go ahead with the application. It’s important to read around the company, what it produces, what its goals and values are. Unilever works strongly towards its visions and is very public about them so it will be a strong part of any interview question. It is good to also form opinions on the matters that Unilever discusses publicly.