Third Party Contract Manager Review

by IBM

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

6.1/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

I am working on the University Hospitals of Leicester project where I manage the third party contracts that UHL had with suppliers. This varies between software and hardware contracts that totals around 80 contracts throughout the year that I have to check are still adequate and then renew

8/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

Yes, I have learned some legal information to do with contractual obligations and how meticulous the wording on some contracts have to be. I have learnt how to effectively manage my time in order to optimize the amount of work I can get done.

7/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

I do enjoy my role, however, sometimes the work load is a little light and leaves me with a feeling that time has been wasted at points. The team is all very supportive and they do not look at me any differently than one of the grads or senior members of the team.

7/10

4. How valued do you feel by IBM?

I have been given a huge deal of responsibility and they have no choice on whether to involve me as I have taken full management of my role as I am the only one who now does it full time.

7/10

5. How well organised/structured is your programme?

I feel that the program is well structured, however, at times it feels like there is a lack of preparation as we were not informed of our job roles until the Thursday before our starting week.

6/10

6a. How much support do you receive from your training provider?

I do not need a huge deal of support but whenever I do, the support structure in place is good.

6/10

6b. How much support do you receive from your employer?

Same as the previous answer

5/10

7. How well does your salary/package meet your costs?

My salary package is a little slim as I do a very similar role as someone who is on triple my salary. The salary is survivable though as I still live at home.

4/10

8. Are there many opportunities outside of work?

There appears to be plenty of options but most nights I attend an evening meal with my colleagues and sometimes we do social activities as well

5/10

9. Would you recommend IBM to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

IBM is one of the largest companies world wide. This means a variety of things; first of all it has a huge variety of roles and although it is expected to maintain a role for 1 year (supposed to be 6 months but is not realsitic) there is a huge variance of things to try in your apprenticeship also the pay goes up in incremental increases so you always know that your pay will progress throughout your apprenticeship.

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to IBM?

Try and make yourself appear different on the application, IBM do not want a generic employee. Also, be flexible, you may not know what you'll enjoy until you try it out. Finally, try and help out wherever possible, even if it does not directly affect your role it never hurts to make yourself some friends in different jobs.