Finance Apprentice Review

I work within an accounts payable role, managing relationships with our critical suppliers. This involves working to ensure that we pay their invoices on time and resolve any queries to avoid escalation further up the organisation and avoid our deliveries being put on stop - this is a crucial part of the management of the supply chain that ensures we can deliver end products to our customers.

I have developed my confidence and my team working skills through communicating both with the physical team in Brentford and the operational teams in various other countries around the world. I have learnt so many new things and am excited to keep progressing throughout my apprenticeship,

I thoroughly enjoy being an Apprentice with GSK as they are very focused on ensuring you make the most out of your experience and providing you with the best learning provider and opportunities they can. I feel proud of being responsible for things within my role and the contribution that this ultimately has towards those who rely on our products.

My programme is incredibly well organised and structured: your learning provider connects with you monthly to ensure you are on track, and you have regular (weekly) one-to-one's with your line manager to keep track of your progress and what opportunities they perhaps need to provide you with to allow you to develop your skills as much as you can throughout the scheme.

I feel very well supported by my employer both in terms of professionally and personally - GSK emphasises the importance of personal well being whilst committing to provide you with as many opportunities to develop as possible. Because of this, I feel safe at work to push myself, knowing I have the full support of both my line manager and my apprenticeship provider behind me.

My training provider is very committed to supporting me as an apprentice and ensuring that I am well on track to completing my qualification on time. During our monthly calls we discuss what I have been working on and what I need to do to ensure that this progress continues well.

I am currently studying towards the CIMA Level 4 qualification and will then complete the Professional level, equivalent to a Master's degree. My studies help me perform better in my role as they give me the knowledge I need to understand certain scenarios better and perform well in my everyday role at work.

There is a great community of Apprentices at GSK and we often get involved in fundraisers and other events arranged by those on the Grad scheme and Industrial Placement students. There are also Apprentice events arranged by our organisation itself, such as the yearly trip to the Lake District for a week.

Yes

Working at GSK has been a great experience so far and I have developed in so many ways. I am proud to be part of such a great organisation and am excited for what the future brings - I would strongly recommend anyone looking to do an Apprenticeship (or a university degree for that matter) to apply for one at GSK.

When applying, be enthusiastic towards not only your role but also what GSK stands for and strives to provide to it's customers. Additionally, be yourself: they are not looking for someone who is perfect at presentations, for example - personality goes a long way and will leave a better impression than any speech you could do!