Operational Improvement Manager Review

My role is to manage the Operational Improvement activity within Energy Generating assets. it involves day to day project and programme management, people management in both business improvement activity utilising Lean methodology’s and performance improvement but also training, inlcuding competency development, accreditation and qualifications upto and including NVQ level .

ive learnt both new skills and developed existing ones, with the apprenticeship and its stuctured programme, it allowed me to utilse the new skills i was gaining in the work place but also create better foundations and ways of using the skills i already had. The Apprenticeship gave me a platform of stucturing and developing those skills i wanted and needed in my role.

I found the programme challenging and with the pressures of work life/home life and the current enviroment of a global pandemic it was difficult at times. Saying that, i did enjoy the programme. The Apprenticeship teaches you alot about yourself and your motivation, your determination and commitment to personal development.

The programme is well stuctured and allows you the space and time to develop. the first 6 months are very stuctured with both personal learning and development a requirement but also classroom learning allows you to get back into the mindset of professional development. the EPA (End Point Assessment) is well positioned and gives you the right challenge at the right level to ensure your bring into practise all the things you have learnt along the way.

My Employer was very supportive, allowing me the time and space to complete my work which is required for the apprenticeship. It important for the employer to not just provide time but also opportunity to try new ideas and approaches which you learn within your programme so you can bring into practise what you are learning. thankfully my company did that such thing and gave plenty of opportunities for me to bring new ideas and approaches which I have learnt into the workplace.

The College that supported me though my apprenticeship was good, the supporting coordinator who was appointed to me at the end of the apprenticeship. their commitment of time and support really helped me when I was getting near the end of my programme and without their help, I don’t think I would have been able to achieve what I have.

The qualification certainly provides better understanding of the types of skills and competency’s which are needed in my role. the skills that you gain in apprenticeships don’t just help in the role that you’re in but help you as a person, the skills you gain help in life not just to enable you to complete a particular task or activity.

Due to the size and nature of the organisation there are lots of additional activity’s you can be involved in from wellbeing support groups, activities to support careers to charity work and volunteering. These are all very strongly promoted from within our company and always opportunity to get involved.

Yes

I’ve worked for E. ON now for just shy of 16 years and thought out that time, my development has been supported, my career opportunities have been supported and there is always opportunities to help your career and more importantly help others. E. ON promotes development within its company and career progression

My advice to anyone interested in E. ON as a career would be don’t think about it as a job, think about it as a career and opportunities to develop yourself and the company. If you are passionate about wanting to make a difference to our energy sector and have a passion for customers, technology and innovation then E. ON is the company for you.