Business and Supply Chain Apprentice Review

I currently work in a Business and Supply Chain optimisation position. Day-to-day my role involves helping plan, implement and optimise processes that will ultimately improve the manufacturing supply chain on-site. I work with various teams and functions across the whole site, and specifically target waste reduction programs, inventory management and improving the communication and accountability for these areas.

When I arrived, my excel skills were poor. Since my work is predominantly office based, and uses systems that rely on excel to illustrate their data, I have had to increase my knowledge and understanding of formulas and how to apply them to multiple tables. I have also developed skills with the new systems that I hadn't used pre my apprenticeship (i.e. SAP, CDMS etc.)

I very much enjoy my program, as it gives me the opportunity to learn from industry experts as I work. The people I work with are interesting and informative and take the time to talk things through with me when I have questions. There is also a great social scene between all of the early talent on site :)

The apprenticeship is fairly well structured. Overall the uni and work are dispersed well. I have two direct contact days every 6/8 weeks which I organise directly with our tutor. There is no set rotational structure within work itself, however each rotation is decided by myself and the managers, dependent on where there are good working opportunities and spaces for me to work.

Over time, the support I receive from my employer has increased. At first it was hard to get time to study during the week, however my most recent manager has been consistently supportive and adamant I take at least one day a week for my studies. They also support me when I need help at work, or when I am doing something new.

When I first started my apprenticeship, I got very little support from the provider 9who has since been changed), however my tutor who my company employs is fantastic and very supportive. We are able to call him anytime with questions and he regularly comes in to do extra work with us.

I believe my qualification has given me a deeper understanding of how the supply chain works and where issues can arise (and subsequently how they affect quality and output figures of the site). It has given me a better financial understanding, which in turn has changed the way I work to think not just about the manufacturing output, but the financial implications of everything we do.

There are plenty of extra-curriculars to get involved in. Across the road we have a sports and social club, which we share with the public and the R&D GSK site. it has squash and tennis courts, a gym, a climbing wall, a pub/restaurant and large outdoors area. in the summer you can canoe down the river running alongside it. there is also a choir (which I am part of :) ). Within work there are many Employee Resource groups, such as Spectrum (for LGBTQ+ , allies and friend), EMBRACE (Disability awareness and support), Mind (mental health awareness) and WLI (Women's leadership initiative).

Yes

GSk is a fantastic global company with a huge community of apprentices around the world. Their apprenticeship program produces apprentices who are experts in their area of study and are flexible, reliable and hard-working. It is a fun, and positive environment where free speech is widely encouraged and the qualification is fantastic!!!

First and foremost, be yourself. GSK pride themselves in hiring strong individuals who will bring something new to the table. However they hire people who are not the finished product, but those who show huge potential and are willing and excited to learn new skills, develop existing ones and get involved :)