Supply Chain Trainee Review

I currently work in the nuclear procurement team and carry out different tasks such as: raising RFQs, Purchase Orders etc. I also have to update metrics, attend meetings and expedite orders. I also carry out stretch assignments which are outside my function but are intended to develop soft skills such as: leadership, self management etc. We move around the Supply Chain function every four months. I have done procurement placements, HR, Logistics, CR and Build Delivery.

Yes I have my Level 3 CIPS qualification and I have nearly finished my Level 4. I think I am more confident and have been able to demonstrate that I can prioritise, be organised and build relationships with a variety of people. I have also improved my commercial and law knowledge.

I have found it difficult because some of the work has been challenging and I haven't always enjoyed all of my placements but on the whole it has been good because there has been a lot of support and the team have been there to tailor my placements to what I enjoy doing.

It wasn't that well organised at the start because we were the first year of the programme, but after the first 6 months it was good because our discipline manager gave us flexibility with out placements and also one to one sessions. They also set up monthly meetings so that they could feedback any comms from the business.

The support is really good. We have regular conference calls, forums and meetings. We have 12 week reviews, annual reviews and one to ones. This means that you know how well you are doing against your objectives and you can raise any concerns you may have. They also put on events such as Health and Wellbeing, Mental Health etc. to promote taking care of yourself.

We don't receive that much support. We study the CIPS qualification which I don't find that beneficial. There are workshops but they are few and far between and can be quite rushed. I also don't enjoy learning directly from the book, it is hard to regurgitate so much information for an exam.

I don't think it does as there is a lot of theory and not a lot of practical. We did an NVQ qualification in our first year and it was hard to submit the evidence because of the sector that we are in. I much prefer the training that the business provides us as I think it is more relevant to the role.

There are some groups which are advertised at the start during induction week but these are groups which are in the local area, they are not necessarily set up by the apprentices themselves. We do have a Christmas Night out and a Summer Ball every year, but they aren't my kind of thing.

Yes

The benefits of working with a big company are vast: pension scheme, share scheme, sick pay, maternity pay etc. You are also allowed to work overtime and TOIL. This is something that wasn't available in my previous job. They invest a lot of money in your training and there are opportunities to move around the business.

Check your application thoroughly for spelling and grammar errors. Ensure you have experiences to write about that are applicable. Take time putting your application together. If you get an interview ensure you are yourself and give lots of examples in your answers. Be prepared to show skills such as team work, presenting etc.