Business Apprentice Review

We change business departments every 6-9 months and we end up going to almost every part of the business. At the moment I am in procurement and this involves liaising with external suppliers and ordering components for the business. We also go to University 1 day a week in order to gain a business degree

I have learned a lot of new skills due to being in so many different departments and working with so many different types of people. I have learned the skills of negotiation and persuasion and have also developed existing skills and my ability to work with others. I have also learned how to use lots of different computer software that is used in lots of different business worldwide.

I thoroughly enjoy the programme because I have had the chance to work with so many different people and get an overview of the business from so many different points of view. It is great being able to change departments all of the time because it means I am constantly excited to see what is to come.

The programme is quite well structured because we have set placements that we go into. On the other hand, we also have the opportunity to choose our own placements and arrange those ourselves, if we feel that we would like to go into a department that is not one of the core departments that every apprentice goes into.

I would say that I receive a lot of support because my employer always makes sure that we have the ability to do well in our placements and at university. For example, we are allowed study days to have off work a day before any exam we might have and this allows us to revise and do better than we otherwise would do.

I would say we receive a standard amount of support from the training provider. They arrange our modules for us and tell us where we should be going but other than that the amount of support is nothing exceptional. They are helping us achieve chartered manager status which is helpful however they do not go above and beyond

I think that a degree must be beneficial overall however I do not personally think that it makes much of a difference to my performance in a role. In university we learn lots of specialist subjects such as accounting or HRM, however I am yet to use anything like this at work.

I have got involved in a number of extra curricular activities at wok. For example I am a STEM ambassador so I go to some local schools and promote STEM based subjects to the students. I also help out at careers events in order to promote the apprenticeships that MBDA offers.

Yes

I feel that it is a great opportunity to gain very valuable work experience while getting a degree at the same time. I feel that it is the best way for someone to start their career because when they finish the apprenticeship they will appear extremely attractive to employers and not have any student debt. Also, MBDA is a great place to work due to the size of the company and the vast variety of different jobs available there.

They need to make sure that they show that they are interested and enthusiastic about the company and the work. For example, make sure that you know lots of facts about the company and bring in real life examples for your interview that prove you are a hard worker and would be an asset to the company.