Higher Business Apprentice Review

I rotate around different supply chain functions for a 6 month period. This could be in Strategic Planning where an apprentice can be responsible for loading future demand for product lines across the site to working on the production lines supporting a team to set commits to deliver product to the customer. Due to this, I have been able to learn about the 5 core supply chain functions: Planning, Procurement, Materials, Quality and Operations.

I have definitely developed people skills - learning to adapt approaches in different situations to get the best outcomes. It has been useful to learn about how things should work through the university and then being able to apply those theories/methodologies to the workplace. Being given responsibility has been really important to my development. Instead of being in a shadowing role, being held accountable for things has been huge for development. It has been useful learning how to be professional too and how to conduct yourself in a business.

I really enjoy being able to rotate around the business and experience all the different support functions of the supply chain. Its important to learn that some jobs are for you and which ones not so much. Even being in a role that is not for you, its fun learning how each area of the business works and what impact each role has on the other business functions. Being able to support leadership teams across the site has also been enjoyable as the responsibility gives you a buzz!

When first joining the business there was lots of support and training made available on how to learn about the business itself. The communication between the business and the university could be better as there are some discrepancies at times regarding what modules you are doing as the business tries to marry up the modules and the rotations. Final year apprentices are 'mentors' to the earlier years but the support offered by everybody across site is exceptional and allows you to feel welcomed and part of a team - whether its the apprentice team or the rotation team.

Definitely received lots of support from my manager, who is the apprentice lead, who has bi-weekly touchpoints with my year. There have been times where meetings have been missed but my manager will always answer the phone if there are any issues. The business also give us plenty of time to focus on university work and will make sure we are happy with our rotations. Line managers also offer lots of support through reviews of the rotation for both apprentice and line manager to give feedback and weekly touchpoints to review targets.

The university meet with us frequently (now virtually due to restrictions) and will be with us for an entire day to aid us with our learning, personal development and assignments. On top of this, we have quarterly reviews with our tutors and line managers to ensure we are applying what we learn to work when necessary, reflecting on how we approach situations and whether our line managers understand the support we need. The university also get involved with team building events and social events to develop our team building skills.

Learning about what theorists say and being able to apply it to work is useful. The university are keen to challenge us about how we feel the best way to actually behave in these situations are. Even though a theorist argues you should do one thing, reflecting on your situation and how it may affect other people or the outcome is much more useful. Having someone from the university and a manager to help you see that is a really useful way to better yourself in every role you do.

The company host lots of activities for teams on site and for the apprentices as a group to be able to build relationships and to network with lots of different people across the site. The site has lots of open space, so before restrictions, there would be events to allow for people to meet and discuss hobbies, skills and collections (people bought vintage cars on site). On top of this, we do volunteering for the local community and get time out of our work schedule to do this, such as fundraising events or helping local charities with renovations.

Yes

The GE community is welcoming and friendly and there is lots of focus to bring the best out of you - whether you are an apprentice or not. There is lots of opportunities and GE support you with what career path you want to chose. They are also flexible and will allow for you to spend time on training courses and activities that will better you as a person

Think about what skills you have demonstrated in the past that would be beneficial for GE and what you have to offer. Also think about how you have worked well as part of a team and GE is a big community so teamwork is really important. Being able to show personal soft skills is also key, so make sure you communicate well by listening others but also ask plenty of questions.