Ethical Trading - Degree Apprentice Review

Currently in Ethical Trading which involves managing relationships with our suppliers to ensure we as a business are doing everything we can to be be sustainable and ethical throughout our supply chain. Also responsible for collating supplier data for the Annual reports, including information about workers and sites that supply Morrisons products. Mostly working in the office using emails, phones, meetings with plenty of opportunities to go out to training sessions (e.g. on Modern Day Slavery)

You earn your Business Management degree as you go which is obviously a valuable qualification to have on your CV (paid for by Morrisons). The key benefits though are earned during work where you take on responsibilities from early on and become familiar with the ongoings of an organisation. External training courses and sessions also help to expand your wider knowledge.

The combination of work and Uni is perfect for me, university weeks are a good break from work and you're kept busy weekly without too much work to cause stress. Everyone I've met is friendly and supportive, especially to apprentices. The work is interesting and there's good opportunities that you wouldn't expect to get involved in (e.g. being on the xmas ad posters).

Managers are very supportive and understanding, they take it into consideration that you might've just come straight from school and so ease you in. The course leaders are always there to help if needed. If you want to get involved in something particular you can. The culture pretty much allows you to do as well as you want, depending on how much work you put in.

Placements are 1 year / 6 months, meaning you get to experience different areas of the business developing a wide range of vital skills. The uni weeks are a good break from work every 5/6 weeks and you can still get the uni experience if you do it right. Uni work isn't overpowering and doesn't take up much of your social time.

Whatever support you need you can get. I haven't had any problems but if I did I'd know who to speak to and know it would get sorted. You also have a mentor and buddy to support you throughout the 3 year course which means they can see how you develop and help with any areas that might need further support.

All the support needed. Even things like paying for fuel to training courses and food at uni.

If you manage your money well it would be more than enough to get by on.

You can get involved in Uni events if you want to, there's plenty of activities at work that go on and you can get involved in pretty much any you want to. Football teams for example are in pretty much every department and if their isnt one in yours you can still just get involved in a different one. The head office is close to leeds centre which is good for weekends (and weekdays). Headingley is great for pubs and bars.

Yes

Getting a salary and a degree you can't really complain.

If you are applying for the corporate scheme where you'll be based in head office, definitely move closer if you're going to be travelling a good distance. I moved with 3 others on the course and it allows you to get the full uni experience, just working instead of lectures. The assessment day might seem daunting but if you're confident you'll breeze it.