Process and Creative Solutions Degree Apprenticeship Review

by Premier Foods

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

9.6/10

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

My role involves learning about the process side of food production and is quite technical but also involves aspects of NPD so it is great to have such a varied role. No two days are the same I could be involved in trials in the pilot plant or I could be giving my opinion on the taste of a new product.

10/10

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

I am learning and developing all the time. I had transferable skills from a previous technical role but no experience in the food production industry so every day I am learning more about food production process, thermal processes, functional ingredients, food safety and even things like nutrition and protecting new ideas with patents.

10/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

I really enjoy the programme. It is quite tough to be doing a degree and working full time at the same time but my colleagues and my management are very support of me and they appreciate that it is sometimes a bit challenging. I enjoy going in to work every day

10/10

4. How well organised/structured is your programme?

I think that is is well structured. I am shadowing various different projects and I can see how they tie in to my degree and what will eventually be my job role after the apprenticeship. My manager always ensures that I get my 20% off the job time each week to study.

10/10

5. How much support do you receive from your employer?

The support is amazing. I have never had a job where I have been this supported. This includes work and home life. My manager does everything that she can to make me comfortable and I even have a mentor that I can speak to whenever about anything. It is a very nice place to work.

10/10

6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

We get reviews from a university mentor every couple of months but can email them whenever we need if there is something we need help with. You can email your tutors if you have any problems and they do get back to you fairly quickly. University learning is much more independent than college so it is something that is difficult at first.

7/10

7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

My job role will be very technical and so a food engineering degree is perfect. It helps me to understand the why's behind each process, for example, I will learn about thermal processing and this will help me be able to decide which type of processing I think would be most appropriate to try on a new product.

10/10

8. Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)

There are social events that take place over lunch such as bingo. The workplace has a very friendly feel. Things like this are hard to comment on at the minute due to Covid but I have been told that when we can we will do things out side of work such as park runs, drinks and food shows.

10/10

9a. Would you recommend Premier Foods to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

It is the nicest place that I have worked. You feel like a valued member of the team immediately, even as an apprentice, as sometimes when you are an apprentice you can feel a bit of an outsider. I have already learned so much and I am being involved in lots of projects.

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

Be yourself in the interview and show your personality and what you are passionate about. You may have transferable skills and some of your past experience may be more relevant than you think it is. The interview process for me took half a day as you are shown around too.