Higher Apprentice in operations. Review

My role consists of learning the operational business from the ground up. I must learn all aspects of operation around site, both the dry side and the asphalt side of the business. I am responsible for personal training and management of staff on site. I am also required to complete assignments set by the University of Derby. I am in regular contact with upper management in order to guide my development. I am also in contact with the learning and development team with Tarmac that provides internal teaching.

I am continually learning new things in relevance to the business. Whether this is operational skills, such as learning new software like OPMS and SOL, alongside completing government requirements such as contractor clearances and permits for contractors coming on site. With the learning and development team I have also learnt things around DiSC profiling which aids person to person interaction and management with people on site. There is continuous development plans in place for personal goals in order to ensure learning is proactive.

I have enjoyed the programme from the beginning. There is a lot of investment into the staff that are hired for the programme. For me the blend of practical work and office based work is a good balance. The job is also a good challenge for me mentally with the requirements for things such as water discharge calculations, and belt speed calculations that come with the university degree. The most enjoyable side of the job for me is the continuous learning and the readily available opportunities for growth, whether volunteering yourself of company assigned.

At the beginning of the programme the site i was assigned to had not had a responsibility to the programme before, so the initial drive to the programme was a little slow. But as the time passed this picked up considerably. It encouraged me to seek out personal learning and highlight development areas for me. I was then assigned to a second site to progress development and the learning increased again, I am now assigned under line managers of different sections of the business in order to learn the dedicated areas. I am very happy with the investment into the structure of my programme.

There is a large support network within the company both at the site I am based out and through the business on a larger scale. My line manage and site manager always make the time to answer any questions I have and take the time to show me the correct procedure. The HR team I have been in contact with follow the same ethos. Everyone I have had contact with within the business has showed a great attitude towards thisa area.

There is always readily available help in terms of work towards qualifications. The tutors at Derby always have time to talk through any issues. If anybody within the business knows any information towards the qualification are also more than happy to help offer advice towards getting the answers. The HR department are also in communication with the tutors as well at the company, there is a good network of communication around my programme.

The theorectical learning provided by the university offer a good skeleton to hang the information of around the inforamtion I learn on the job. Its good for me to have a duality for progress to have the theory marry up to the practical application of the job role. The level of teaching on both sides of the fence is always to a good standard.

Due to the period of time I am working there is limited activity due to COVID-19. Things have to be restricted for safety. However opportunities such as working with charities such as YDMT, as well as programmes such as STEM. These are voluntary programmes which we are welcome to sign onto.

Yes

The work place and learning have always been a positive experience for me, from start to finish. It doesnt matter who I'm wokring with, whether its operatives on the shop floor or upper management they have nothing but time in order to help the person learn. The internal leadership programme is ran by proffesionals whose enthusiasm for their job role comes through to the sessions they teach. There is resource available to aid learning. In terms of the apprenticeship, again I have nothing but positivity. I am very comfortable with the learning process and the speed in which learning opportunities come my way. There is a desire from those around you to share responsibilty in order to help and promote growth.

This is a professional programme so it would be wise to show the same level of ivestment to them as they show you. To apply to the programme it is advised to research and learn the field that you want to enter into. This is not a run of the mill job to occupy your time. If you apply yourself and take the opportunities they present to you, it will be a career. This is a company that strive to be the best, by means of standards and discipline to the job, so expect to reflect these values in your person, and in the job role. This job is very rewarding if you match the investment the company put into your development, so be ready for a challenging job role, that develops a character into a dynamic, learning manager.