Food Manufacturing Apprentice Review

The job varies monthly. Around every 3 months I get rotated into different allocations, working in new areas with new people. Some allocations you enjoy more than others but overall it is a good way of working. I work 4 on 4 off, 12 hour shifts and I much prefer this way of working to the classic 9 to 5 however along the apprenticeship I get to work both types of shifts. The theory side of work is also good as we get sent on study weeks to the national center for food manufacturing where the staff and other students are very passionate for the subject. Overall I enjoy the apprenticeship but in saying that, I can also see many places for improvement.

I have learned to operate machines, I have developed my time management skills, I've developed my ability to work in a team along with many other things that I would not have learned if I had chosen to go to Uni

The work is hard and challenging. I find it stressful at times and I tend to bring home the stress too. I'm hoping that as the programme goes on I will enjoy it more. Nonetheless, I still try to arrive at work with lots of enthusiasm because whenever I reach a new milestone (a certificate, the end of an allocation etc.), it brings me lots of satisfaction.

The programme is well structured because I know where I'm going to be working in the near future. In each allocation I have certain tasks to complete but it is up to me to decide when I get them done. However, I do not know where I'm going to be a year from now or even two years from now.

I feel like there could be much more support from my employer. I feel like they are not asking questions on how I'm doing/if I'm enjoying myself and they don't seek any feedback from me. In the past, the programme (at least at our site) has not had a very good success rate. I think this is partially due to the lack of interest in our personal lives and work lives. This is made better for me by a few individuals that seem to have a genuine interest in offering me support where I need it.

The training provider (NCFM) is great. They send regular tasks for us to do remotely, they are very engaging during study weeks, we have regular reviews every 3 months (sometimes more if required). Overall they are very organized and seem to have a genuine interest in the outcome of our apprenticeship.

I feel that many of the things we learn during our study weeks prime us for not only the roles that we are in now but the roles we could be in in the future. I have definitely used things that I have learned during my study weeks at work and some things I have not used yet.

No. We have a social club which organizes prize draws and they help finance the Christmas parties that us workers organize ourselves. Other than that there is not much else to get involved with outside of work.

No

There are many obstacles in the way. The main benefit for me is the excellent pay and the qualification at the end. I think I'm now past the point of no return and I'm just hoping that nestle has the ability to eventually offer me a job that I will enjoy.

If you are resilient and like a challenge, go for it. This might be the right thing for you. There are many benefits to working for nestle. Plus if you enjoy the job you could end up working all over the world. Most importantly be yourself during your interviews, nestle are good at picking the right candidates for the job.