Apprentice Review

My current role is working in one of our business functions, primarily focussed on a few specific customers. Getting involved with projects and various initiatives happening in the business unit. My dad-to-day role varies greatly, currently, I am working on a project to update one of our warehouse management systems.

I have been on a variety of training courses since my employment at DHL, both internally and externally, all of which have helped to develop new and existing skills. My degree studies alongside work have also encouraged me to network more and trial different things, which in turn, has also lead to me developed new and current skills.

I really enjoy my programme, it gives me a lot more exposure to the business and all the different roles/career paths available, that I wouldn't necessarily get if I was in a normal role. There is also flexibility in the programme, I am able to move around the business unit and explore other areas of the business in order to aid my studies and development.

My programme is well structured, there are two eighteen-month placements (I'm currently in my second one) with my final year spent in a more permanent role whilst my studies are completed. This structure allows for you to plan ahead and also experience more than just one area of the business, something that is vital for an apprentice.

There is a dedicated apprenticeship team at DHL who sit within the emerging talent team (who coordinate the graduates and apprentices as a whole), the support from the apprenticeship team is great. There are monthly check-ins to make sure everything is running smoothly but you also know that they are only a message or call away if you need help with anything at all.

There is a lot of support from my training provider (The OU) for my apprenticeship. My practical tutor checks in via phone frequently and there are also quarterly meetings in place to do more formal check-ins too. There is a huge amount of material and content available on the OU website, as well as lecture's and recordings for you to get extra support from.

My qualification (Management) allows me to explore all areas of management, without being confined to my role within IT. This includes marketing, finance, HR and many other areas. This allows me to have a wider understanding of how the business works which I can use to work better in my current role. The specific theories I learn about in my modules can also be applied to my role to further develop my value as an employee,

There are some extra-curricular activities available at DHL, I'm sure there's many more throughout the company but in my role within IT I have been involved with the following: Technology group, running/creating and employee experience newsletter, emerging talent social committee (organise social events for the cohort). I have also recently been involved in creating a degree apprentice social committee which we are planning to run social events and networking events via.

Yes

DHL is a company that has an abundance of opportunities, there is plenty while on the apprenticeship but even more so when you are doing a standard role within DHL. There are options to travel/relocate globally, you are able to retrain and move throughout the business units. Overall, DHL is just a fantastic company that cares about the employees and make sure you don't just feel like a number, despite the large size of the organisation.

Enjoy the process! Applications, interviews and assessment days can seem daunting and make you nervous but really try to relax and enjoy each stage, everyone involved from DHL is just trying to get the best out of you and see you succeed, there is nothing to be nervous about. If you are successful with your application, my best piece of advice would be to network, the more the better! With such a large company, you have access to unbelievable amounts of talented people, utilise that and learn from them.