Confectionery Apprentice Review

Every day is different in my apprenticeship. When I first started working at nestle I worked in the Innovation and Renovation Kitchens helping develop new confectionery products as well as renovating current products. Here I could work on anything from KitKats to Easter Eggs. Now I help out in the factories, implementing new products onto lines as well as providing technical help.

Since starting my apprenticeship I have learnt so many confectionery skills which have been passed down Nestle confectioners for over 100 years from tempering to chocolate shelling and moulding. As well as this I have improved my leadership and management skills by leading projects and taking control of a team.

I love my programme and have never looked back since applying for it! I love that everyday is different and i'm treated as a member of the team rather than a stereotypical apprentice. The team I work in are brilliant and they make the days go by so quickly.

As I was the first confectionery apprentice Nestle took on my scheme didn't start off being the msot organised. however as the role went on I could influence more factors and have had an impact on how it now works for the apprentices who joined the year after me.

A lot of support! As I have a university degree running alongside actual day to day work it can be easy to become overwhelmed with the amount of work to do. However there is always someone to offer help whether that be for assignments, day to day work or personal issues.

The University of Lincoln provides a lot of support. As my degree is long distance I depend on the lecturers very much if I don't undersand something. They are always very quick to respond to emails and help out as much as they can when it comes to assignments and offer to read drafts before final hand ins. If we feel that work is getting too much with too many assignments set at once, we know we can talk to the lecturers and they understand our sturggle of full time work with a degree and try to rearrange things as best they can.

I can see so many links between what I do at uni and what I do in my current job role. When i'm down in the factory i often recollect sessions taught at the uni which originally I didn't think would relate. Everything taught so far I have been able to relate back to my work.

I think for commercial apprenticehips there are a lot more opportunities to get involved in different activities and networking evetns compared to technical apprenticeships. Saying this though if you look for oppportunities they are there which is why I have gotten involved in the Young Apprentice Ambassador Network. Doing this I have gone to many events one of which included a skype call with Tim Peake while he was on the international space station!

Yes

Nestle is a large company which looks out for it's empoyees and their families. You don't feel like a number even when there are 100s of poeple at the same site. There are so many opportunities to move up the ladder and everyone just wants to see you succeed.

I would say just to be yourself. Nestle values individuals and are looking for people who ae confident in themselves and their abilities rather than acting how they think they should. There are so mnay different jobs on offer, if you don't get chosen for the one you orginally applied for, try again with a different one!