Global HR Business Partner Review

My role as a HR Business Partner (HRBP) was a very unique role requiring me to provide service and work with employees all over the world. On a day to day basis I would manage the performance and reward of employees within the business as well as helping them with any other general HR tasks. I would also be involved is projects spanning weeks/months depending on what the task was and the requirements of this.

Whilst on my programme I learnt a vast array of new skills whilst also being able to develop existing skills. My role helped me to learn and develop core skills such a people and task management. This was magnified within my role and its requirements of being a global role such as managing cultural differences, ways of working and time/language barriers which were faced. I would certainly say that my 18 Months on programme was the biggest learning experience I ever had and that I have been able to learn and develop more in this time then I ever would have at University.

I very much enjoyed my programme and the work that I did. The coursework was interesting and their was a wide variety of things covered in my modules which taught me new things but also then helped my in my role now knowing this additional information. The work I did always posed new challenges and learnings whilst also allowing me to deploy things I had learnt while on my programme and through other work which I had been involved in previously. My role was diverse and I enjoyed it. This was increased by working with a great team and partnering with good people.

My programme was very well organised and structured although their were some issues with communication and being clear between the provider and myself. Their was occasional issues with delay in reply from the provider and also some clarity issues with what we being asked or required at times. I would encourage people to keep on top of their providers and manage them effectively. This will allow them to have the best experience providing they are on top of their coursework and the timings of this.

My employer was very supportive particularly with any issues which I faced from the programme provider. My employer would take the time to understand the issues which I was facing and then effectively chase at their end and ensure that their was nothing more which I could have been doing myself and that the issue lies with them and not a lack of commitment from myself. The fact they were able to take time to fully understand the situation and then deploy effective help for me solidifies them as a great employer.

My training provider was average at supporting me when needed. They were not very good communicators and were not clear in their asks when requesting some work or changes. On the whole I did not need much support at all from them but mainly worked with them to clarify asks from work booklets and what their expectations were with some tasks.

My qualification was very similar to what I had previously studied, However, even with this their were different modules that I studied and subsequently continued to develop because of this. Their were some specific modules such as workplace employment law and policy which helped me in my role working within HR.

Their is tonnes of thing which apprentices at Unilever can get more involved in. Their are three key pillars which we are encouraged to get involved in. One of which is our Outreach pillar that sees apprentices go to schools and workplace events to present about apprenticeship programmes and teach young people what it means to be and complete an apprenticeship the benefits of doing so and also what as a business Unilever does in this space. As well as this their is a fantastic apprenticeship community where you can make great friends. We often go out for drinks and dinners as a group as well as doing so with our IP Students and Graduate programme members.

Yes

Unilever has a fantastic cooperate message and is a friendly place to work where all feel welcome and are included. Their is plenty of opportunities for development and a very strong learning culture within the business. This combined with great career development makes Unilever a great place to work and learn. On top of this their flexible working allows people to manage their work around their lives which produces a no pressure enviroment providing you manage this responsibly.

I would tell people to just be yourself, it will allow you to settle so much quicker and let others get the best from working with you. I would also say to people to take on challenges and use them as learning curves! it will always help to develop you. Lastly, I would say that people should always make the most of networking and making friends!