Commercial Procurement Apprentice Review

As a Commercial Apprentice my main job is supporting the buying for the organisation. The bulk of this is working with contracts ensuring we as an organisation are achieving value for money. We award contracts, manage existing contracts through the KPI (Key performance measures), and amend contracts through variations. I also work closely with certain suppliers depending on the strategic nature of the requirement.

I have learnt how to read and understand contracts, particularly certain clauses and their wider implications. I have learnt how to draft contracts, hold competitive tendering procedures, evaluate tenders, ensure best practice, hold consensus meetings, create category plans, call-off existing frameworks, pass CIPS exams, use Excel formulas such as VLOOKUP and present data analysis to senior managers.

The program has been amazing. On the first week I found myself in a massive conference in a luxury Kings Cross hotel, surrounded by top advertising officials. I have been out on site, worked with the GLA, and met so many different people. The opportunity to grow, learn, develop and network has been non-stop.

The program is really well structured. I am studying a Level 4 Diploma with CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). There are 5 exams. I go to college once week to study and the other 4 days are in the office. There is an excellent balance of study and work. The best part is, everything I study is relevant to work so it makes learning on the job really easy.

So much support is viable. There are so many groups from religion to mental health to exercise. Everyone is approachable and the managers are really understanding. I have never once felt like an apprentice. There is lots of stuff online and buddy schemes etc. to make the whole programme easy and flexible.

Training provider has been really good. The tutor is an email away, so I've never felt lost when I was stuck. Material such as past papers are available online, and there text books themselves have so much information. If I was to ever get stuck I know I can email the college and they will help me.

The CIPS qualification is gold. Literally everything I have learn holds relevance. Nothing has been waffle. It relates so much to what I do in the office. It has given me contextual knowledge and set up a base. If I get stuck I use what I have learnt at college in work. Especially when it comes to best practice.

There are plenty of socials going on. There are lots of groups to get involved with too, so you'll never feel bored. Networking is so easy. There is a football group, mental health group, religious group, yoga classes, running groups and so much more. After you send a couple of emails you get started straight away.

Yes

Great opportunities to learn, gain knowledge, help provide solutions to real world issues and just grow as a person. There is so much to get involved. The people here are great !. There is also great work life balance, as well as the ability to be who you are and not be judged.

Be yourself. Ask yourself what do you like, what your interests are and how can these align with TfL Values. Research into the apprenticeship scheme you would like and be confident. I would say, be yourself again and have a understanding of what is happening in the world and how it relates to TfL.