IS Business Analyst Apprentice Review

As an IS Business Analyst Apprentice my day-to-day work revolved around supporting project managers within my team with any task; i.e. creating and updating data reports/spreadsheets and supporting in some brief activities with project managers; such as writing minutes, drawing basic data and process models etc. Unfortunately, from my experience (others I know had the same), as an apprentice at Unilever you struggle to get as much responsibility required in order to complete your apprenticeship coursework competency requirements, and in the end have to completely blag your way to pass the apprenticeship. Even my LDC said learners usually fail from Unilever on the actual apprenticeship, and I'd be lucky to pass the EPA interview (even though the rest of my coursework was fine) as learners don't get the experiences other apprentices do in other companies and this comes across in interviews.

I've definitely been able to, through the apprenticeship training courses, been able to get a thorough theoretical understanding of the BA role. I've yet to apply and utilise many of the skills I've learnt, but the courses/certificates you achieve are well recognised and worthwhile.

I enjoyed my time during the apprenticeship as I had a very supporting team and manager. The programme I quite enjoyed and will try work as a BA in the future. As mentioned above though, you're left on your own completely to succeed in the course as you aren't gave exposure to utilise the skills on learnt on the training courses you'll attend.

We were behind from the start, we didn't have a LDC (training provider coach) for the first 4 months. Many of the training sessions aren't immersive and are just slideshow presentation run-throughs. Although currently they are online due to COVID it was the same when in classroom training in Manchester.

You'd have hoped that post training you'd get a full time role in the company, but it's hidden during the application phase that; 1. You won't typically get a job at the end of the apprenticeship if at Port Sunlight - unsure about other locations. There's UK job freeze due to COVID but prior to that, many staff got made redundant as roles were offshored. Many apprentices either progress onto the degree level apprenticeships or have to find a new job. 2. You aren't actually employed by Unilever if you aren't on the degree (3 1/2 to 4 yr University level courses). Therefore, you get a lot less benefits than being employed by Unilever (lower salary, worse pension contribution, no bonus, no sick pay etc). Manpower weren't supportive really at all, contact infrequently i.e. once every 6 months, no support when offboarding and having to find new roles, and not supportive i.e. have to use holidays if attending a close family relative's funeral.

My LDC (once she arrived after 4 months) was very supportive. Although the classroom trainings aren't immersive, after the initial few months where we were behind I felt the training provider was very supportive from their end to help apprentices.

My qualification is well recognised and will help in future jobs to have. I guess that I'd have to progress onto a junior type role somewhere though initially to get the exposure to actually doing the role.

There was a few on-site activities prior to COVID. Christmas party's, apprentice gatherings down in London, team events (sometimes company paid, sometimes you had to pay i.e. Christmas team meal) and opportunity to attend and obtain qualifications in-house from vendors such as Microsoft. Understandably this was reduced post COVID.

No

It's a fantastic company to have on your CV, but if their was another opportunity to progress within another large company such as Unilever then I'd recommend they give that a go due to reasons outlined above.

Have a full look at the course specification prior to applying and understand if that's what you want to go down. ). Good luck!