Level 4 Project Management Apprentice Review

I work in the Beauty and Personal Care Digital Transformation Team, on a project called CXX (Customer Experience Excellence). This is a digital programme which aims to exceed customer expectations. I help all BPC brands onboard and progress within the project, we are their first point of contact. For example, CXX squared has recently launched and we help all brands understand the new programme, choose where they will participate in, and once onboarded we have regular calls to talk about progress and any blockers.

I have been exposed to people of different ages and cultures therefore have better communication skills. I have had the opportunity to present and speak so am more proactive and confident also. I have been using tools like excel, coupa, trello, teams etc which have meant that I am more aware in digital sites.

Unfortunately I do not enjoy my programme at all. I live in an area which is really diverse, I have always felt like I am "normal". However since joining, I have realised what it feels like to be a minority. I haven't met anyone like myself, in terms of ethnicity, religion or location in where I live. I know that in life I will have to meet people and learn how to communicate, but I feel out of place, as if everyone else belongs where they work- they know how to communicate, they understand one another and have a similar culture- but I am different. And no one understands me. Secondly, the work that I do doesn't excite me, its quite boring and doesn't provide me any opportunities to work on projects where I see change. Since arriving, CXX has always been a headache, and seeing fellow colleagues who do not enjoy the work- has had an effect on me too. Overall this experience has put me off working in the city for life, and I have had to push through every week with little motivation.

At the beginning (the first 3-4 months), the fellow apprentices and I had no idea what the programme entailed in terms of coursework. The provider had little to no contact with us, we did not know how we would be examined or what content was in our programme. We felt very confused.

My employer- Manpower, on the other hand are quite good with support. We, as apprentices were told from the get go who our contacts are, who to contact in what situation, safeguarding, holidays/ any information we wanted we were told. We meet with our contracter once a month on a 1-1 form where we are given a voice to speak of our concerns. I haven't spoken about my concerns because I do not feel comfortable to, however it is good we are given the opportunity to.

As mentioned, it did take them 3 months minimum to get information to us and this was quite slow. However, since then they have significantly improved. We now have regular webinars and workshops for our coursework and are given enough work to do which occupy our study days. I now know which contacts are for what within the training provider.

The programme is on project management, which is what my manager also is. There are familiar words and documentations which make me realise what is what. However in many cases the projects which we work on do not always follow the flow of a normal project so it is hard to see. I don't think my qualification helps me perform better in my role at all.

There are team drinks quite often however I choose not to go due to religious reasons. There are lots of networking events with those who come to our site (Spotify, Pinterest, Marketing events etc) which are really exciting. I alongside my manager also attend different external marketing events which is great. I also did voluntary work last week as Unilever give you 3 days of paid leave for volunteering.

No

My friends are from a similar background as me, I would not want anyone to feel the way I have for the past 6 months. I feel really out of place and believe they do need to start hiring a much more diverse group of interns and apprentices as well as permenant employees.

Only do an apprenticeship if you are ready for the commitment. You have to enjoy what you are doing in life otherwise you will never be content, and when you don't enjoy your work it really affects you outside of work. Put your happiness first before salaries always. Unilever is a risk- some people get lucky with the teams they are put in, whereas most are unlucky.