Apprentice & Graduate Programme Leader Review

As part of my role I manage the early careers programmes across a number of Solenis sites, ensuring we are recruiting and training our future talent to fill critical roles at the right time. I am an apprentice ambassador and regularly attend industry meetings to ensure I am up to date with key changes and share best practice with other employers. I mentor and support a number of learners ensuring they are receiving high quality training and achieving thier qualifications.

I have moved into a new industry and have learnt a lot about the chemical manufacturing industry and production processes. I have also become a STEM ambassador to promote opportunities to others supporting school visits to our Science Labs and during Bradford Manufacturing Week. I have access to a wide range of training opportunities and regularly complete training to stay up to date and develop myself.

I love my job and have had great support in completing my apprenticeship from management and my team. I also support others completing their qualifications to ensure they have access to any information they need and know what they need to do to succeed. There are lots of groups to join and a great social club which gives you discounted prices to events and other opportunities.

You have a great support network around you, including your manager, mentor, apprentice mentor, trainer, assessor and tutor. We have monthly apprentice and intern networking lunches including development sessions and key speakers. We are encouraged to recommend improvements and join the continuous improvement network and help shape the future of the programme. We complete regular training in our teams as well as apprenticeship development days to ensure we are developing our skills.

My manager was very supportive of me completing my Level 5 apprenticeship and the company has paid for my ILM membership now I have completed my apprenticeship giving me fellowship status. We are encouraged to think about our personal and professional development and include these plans within our development plans, reviewing progress and updating them regularly.

My training provider was really supportive and tailored the assessment plan to meet my preferred learning style. I had access to lots of great learning resources and could easily get hold of my assessor or tutor whenever I needed via phone or email. The programme was delivered via an electronic portfolio which meant I could see my progress and manage my learning from any device and wherever I was.

I have gained a wider knowledge of my management and leadership capabilities, picking up a lot of new methodologies to put into practice in my work. It has helped me reflect on my skills and identify areas which I could work on/continue to work on. I am now more confident in areas which I would previously have avoided and happy to approach projects and challenges in a confident manner.

We are encouraged to get involved in lots of groups and activities to support our development and help us integrate into the organisation. I am an Apprentice Ambassador for Yorkshire and Humber, a STEM Ambassador, A Continuous Improvement Ambassador, a member of the Young Persons Network, support our Science Lab for Children, have access to our sports and social club events and discounts and our free company gym. I also attend monthly apprentice and intern networking lunches where we have development opportunities, teambuilding activities and key speakers.

Yes

The Solenis Apprenticeship programme helps you to step into a rewarding career with fantastic development opportunities. You have a great network around you to ensure you are supported every step of the way and there is a really good benefits and rewards package. The qualifications available will set you up for a great career.

I would recommend you to research the roles you are thinking of applying for so you have all of the information you may need at interview and have a better idea of whether it is the right role for you. Attending the annual open day will be a great opportunity to do this, with a chance to view the site and meet some of the existing apprentices and colleagues. Make sure you are confident sell youself at the interview/assessment centre.