Manufacturing Apprentice Review

As a manufacturing apprentice, there is a wide variety of roles we get to experience, from packaging/inspection, manufacturing, filling and some of us sometimes go into areas of NPI (new product introduction). Currently I am in packaging so my role at the moment is mainly based on the lines running the machinery. This involves being quite hands on. Day to day, I run the machines, problem solve and also make sure we are getting high quality products at the output, as well as some days having different meetings to attend.

Since joining my apprenticeship I have definitely learnt a variety of new skills and developed both personally and professionally. Some new skills that I have learnt are mainly involved with the machinery in which I run on a daily basis, and being much more hands on with my on the job training, this is helped everyday. On top of the skills that I have learnt since starting my apprenticeship, I have also further developed my problem solving skills, resilience and communication skills since working/interacting with a wide variety of different people on site everyday.

I thoroughly enjoy my programme for many different reasons. All aspects of training both on the job and external (i.e. college) are second to none in my experience. The people that I work with on the lines, managers and my college tutor are all very supportive in helping us to develop and see us succeed. Not only this but the amount of different development opportunities that are available is amazing, allowing us to try new things/challenges for both personal and professional development.

The programme overall is fairly well structured and there is a clear idea on where managers/apprentice leads would like to see you go in the future within your apprenticeship and what they would like you to achieve, though at times it is sometimes felt that this could be better communicated as you may feel at times unsure of where to go next/what you need to do next in order to meet all expectations.

The support I get from my employer is amazing. I feel comfortable speaking to my co-workers or my managers on any issues that I may have and feel as though they all want to help me succeed when making sure I am receiving sufficient training and development opportunities. Alternatively, in terms of support with issues; if you did not feel comfortable openly communicating about an issue you may have, GSK also run an anonymous speak up policy.

My college tutor is very supportive in the way in which he teaches. He is very helpful and knowledgeable about the subjects he teaches us and is always willing to help and spend any extra time teaching a topic if we are struggling, he is also quite understanding if we have an issue that may interrupt our focus our learning and tries to help us around solving them.

While my qualification is fully relevant to what my role is at GSK, sometimes I struggle to link the theoretical practice to the on the job training, although this could be because of the role I am currently in. While this may be unclear at the moment I'm sure that everything I am learning at the moment will come in handy at a later point in my career.

There are a couple of different extra-curricular activities available on site, such as the NxtGen community (a national hub for all apprentices to get involved with) as well as being a STEM ambassador getting involved with STEM events across the country, as well as on site we having a few bee hives in which you are welcome to get involved with.

Yes

Similarly to what has already been said, my experience at GSK as been extremely positive, staff and team members are extremely supportive, the on the job training is great, and the amount of opportunities that you get both on and off site/in and out of work are great and also help you develop quite a lot.

My top tips would be just make sure you have a bit of background knowledge about the company, make sure you highlight what not only would make you a good candidate but also what perhaps would make you stand out against others, everyone is different, and without being too cliché just be yourself!