Rating
- 1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
- 2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
- 3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
- 4. How well organised/structured is your programme?
- 5. How much support do you receive from your employer?
- 6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
- 7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
- 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.)
- 9a. Would you recommend Premier Foods to a friend?
- 9b. Why?
- 10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Premier Foods?
Working in credit control, I am contacting customers daily, chasing debt and making sure our payments coming in run smoothly. I work closely with other teams across Premier Foods to resolve things like price queries, short deliveries and commercial claims. I have my own ledgers which I look after by sending weekly statements, confirming payments and resolving any PO issues or queries. I also retrieve remittances and investigate any invalid claims for re-payment.
PBS has helped me develop my communication skills in speaking and writing. I've learnt a whole new range in accounting for things such as the SAP systems we use, excel spreadsheets and data analysis. I've been able to focus on my organisation and time management but also develop my problem solving skills and able to use my knowledge on maths.
I've really enjoyed my experience so far, I have made great friendships and working relationships in my workplace. Everyone has been extremely helpful and I've really been able to grow in my confidence. I've had a good balance between working and learning and I've had a lot of support if there's any areas I feel I need to work on.
My workplace set out a very helpful structure on how I could progress on my accounts and when to move up to larger accounts, this was my decision when I felt fully trained and comfortable in where I was. On the learning side, the modules are very spread out but I did feel like sometimes there was a bit too much of a gap so felt I could've added a lot more to my training and completed modules sooner.
I couldn't have asked for a better employer to support me. Both in my work training and my apprenticeship learning they've given me the time I've needed and not put pressure on me. They've really helped me progress at the right pace and I feel I'm getting lots of development for my career.
We do have meetings every 6 weeks which can be useful in how I'm progressing and what I need to do or need support on. Most modules have a tutor which are able to answer any questions. One downside is UACS felt very learning on your own, I feel like it would be easier if there was a tutor to go through it question by question like other modules.
The accounting course has definitely helped with different aspects in my job and a better understanding of the business. I feel I know a lot more in accounting and future roles I can do. Also with the training provided by my employer I've been able to put two and two together to help me perform better and more quickly. Some of the questions in FYSA I've felt I've not been able to use in my role yet but could be useful for the future.
Working from home has changed some of the social activities and events. I know from previous years the business really looks after it's employees and creates a lot of team building events. Even in lockdown they've been able to create charity events to do from home and created ways for everyone to communicate across the business.
Yes
Accounting was a completely new role and experience to me, I started off with no knowledge in it. Premier Foods has excelled in every part of being a good employer. They've helped me to develop my skills, get a better idea of my goals and possible future opportunities and I feel I've really been able to fit in. They've supported me every step of the way. I also have tattoos and piercings which is usually frowned upon in professional jobs but Premier has really made me feel welcomed and let me excel in my career.
Just be yourself, if you can get some basic knowledge in excel go for it. Be ready to work in a team environment and on contacting a lot of customers especially by phone. Learn anything you can about Premier's values, their brands and what they do as a company.
Details
Level 2 Apprenticeship
Accounting
Manchester
April 2021