technical operator apprentice Review

running the machinery on the shop floor, quality checks, business improvement placements

definetly, we have gained a PEO in maintenance activities and an EAL level 2 in just under two years, we have a business improvement course to fulfil in our last year. however I have learnt a lot just by working on the shop floor such as: how to manage time, communication skills and how to handle responsibility.

its good fun all round, the people are always nice and you work with a variety of age ranges so its always different working stylles and conversations. all round i think the programme is great for young people as it allows you to be trained to the highest level of operator and sets you on a good career within the company

i feel very valued, management utilise you as if you were a full time worker, they include you in tasks and get the exact same treatment as everyone else. the higher management are also always interested in your wellbeing and will always help you with anything that you need. the pay is very good for an apprenticeship and you feel valued as they pay bonuses in your second and third years.

ill admit, the structure could be a little better, however its primarilly due to the busy nature of the company. you may have too short or too long of a placement however you just need to make sure you get the learning and the necessary training completed, this will set you up for a job in most places in the factory.

we receive a lot of support, if we need any help with work then they will provide you with information relevant to the work. they send someone out from college to help make sure you are okay at work by doing monthly reports on what training you have received and where you are working in the factory. college is a good place to learn, a small class so its easier to learn and its only one day a week.

from unilever we receive a lot of support, any issue we have we can take it to our manager and they will make sure we are looked after, any days you need off because of hospital appointments they fully support you with. the HR team are very helpful as you can go to them with any query and they can answer there and then for you. we dont really have mentors however the line crews always help us out and look out for us, they know what its like being new and young so theyre always happy to help you out, even if you do make mistake. in general the whole factory is geared to supporting one another, they will help you with any problems and advise you on what to do if you need help.

the salary package is way above what most apprenticeships pay, i wasnt expecting this much when first arriving here. the location for me isnt too far so i drive but the salary easily covers all my costs and leaves me plenty of room for anything else i need.

their's always activities happening outside of work for people to get involved with, theirs cake sales that they do, theirs charity work always going on, but their's plenty of apprenticeship opportunities so going to career events for work and things like that which is always good. they could put more events on between factories however, such as a football tornament or something like that, get each factory linked with eachother in a non-work way.

Yes

its a great opportunity for an amazing career and its a very wide business, theirs a job role for everyone really. its easy to fit in, the pay is always good and its just a good pathway to where you want to get to.

just be yourself, its easy to act like someone totally different when going for a job interview or speaking to new people, just be you and youll be fine. speak about your hobbies or what you enjoy and its guaranteed someone will enjoy the same things. when going through the application process, get help with writing you're CV's or supporting letters, just get a teacher or someone else to just proof read it, make sure it explains who you are correctly. when doing assessment days, just get involved, stand out, they look for people that can handle the pressure and can stand up to take on responsibilty of a role, if you fail, dont worry, they want to see you cope with failing and dealing with it. everyone has nerves, just dont let yours overshadow who you are as a person.