Business Administration Apprentice Review

I am a Business Administration Apprentice at Syngenta and I am in the Office Services team. We provide administrative support for areas all across sight but also work closely with the leadership team as we are on the same corridor. On a day to day basis I check e-mails and deal with any queries at hand, I also sort the mail out with everyone on our corridor and place it in the right location in our mail room downstairs. I make sure we have satisfactory stationary in our stationary cupboard and that the conference rooms are correctly stocked up including the coffee machines. I also stock our printer up to help things run more smoothly.

I've definitely developed my communication skills further while I've been at work as I've interacted with so many new people and made new friends within my colleagues. I've certainly massively developed my time management skills since working here as now I'm working in the 'real world' you can't let things slip you have to be on top of your work with everything and stick to deadlines not just for you but to help your colleagues and the business run smoothly. I'd say my attitude and work ethic has improved also since I've started working here as I really enjoy my job and like to see myself and others around me excelling in what we're doing.

I'm doing Level 2 Business Administration at the moment and I've always had a real thing for Business and all aspects to do with it since being young as it just fascinated me. This helps as I'm doing a business programme so I enjoy the college part of it and am hitting all targets and deadlines at college and I also enjoy the work side of it as I really enjoy my job. All the people involved in my apprenticeship are nice people as well so this helps me enjoy it further.

You can tell here at Syngenta they take their apprenticeships very seriously as they should and we've got a very well organised programme here and they consistently take on more apprentices each year to help build a workforce for the future. The college side of it is also well structured as we have a topic we are working on each week at college and do some independent study as well and then I can transfer these skills into my work life to be constantly improving myself.

I have weekly and monthly meetings with my line manager to see where I'm at in relation to work targets and also college targets as they run alongside each other. My employer wants to see me do well and exceed in anything I do so they have given me all the support I have needed while on my course. We also have a learning and development building on site that I can go to and be with the other apprentices and do work over there instead of always being at my desk.

I'm currently doing my course at Kirklees College main building in Huddersfield and all the members of staff associated with the business apprenticeships are nice people and have been supportive if I've ever needed any assistance with what we've been working on. I have an individual assessor, [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyApprenticeship Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions], who is basically in charge of me and we have 6 weekly progress reviews to see where my progress is at and she comes into my work to speak with members of my team and my Line Manager to see how I'm getting on. She's helped me with anything I've struggled with and I know where I am regarding college work and what I can do to improve on topics.

Before I started college we received a list of what we would be doing at college for each week and we have tried to relate that to what I do at work in the days either running up to Wednesday ( my college day) or after it and this helps me relate what I learn in a classroom to what it's like in a real life working environment which I enjoy as this helps me learn more.

We have a STEP IN club in which each month at lunch time we go on a 40-45 minute walk and depending on the overall number of steps walked my each individual, we donate money to a chosen charity for that month and I've been involved in a couple of these. I've also been out on a bowling night which was really enjoyable as I like bowling and I also got to speak to a few people I otherwise probably wouldn't have so it's good that Syngenta put these events on as we bond closer as colleagues.

Yes

Leaving college and starting my apprenticeship here is the single best decision I've ever made in my life. Firstly, I think apprenticeships are the future as you are getting a qualification but you are also working and earning your own money so it's the best of both worlds really. Secondly, Syngenta have a really well structured and well funded apprenticeship scheme so you get the best support you can possibly get while in your apprenticeship. They treat you well here also and you are treated as any other member of staff from day one and you have a permanent contract from the second you step foot in the door, it's not after 12 or 15 months of the apprenticeship duration your employer can just let you go, so you know the employer isn't just using you for a year or twos cheap labour.

I'd probably say prepare well for your interview and really want it and have some passion to work here so do your research on the company beforehand and know what you're getting yourself into. I've known of Syngenta and people that have worked here most of my life and I'd only ever heard good things about it so see if you know anyone or if family members know anyone who works here and just have a chat with them about what it's like working here.