Manufacturing Apprenticeship Review

Each day is different, from being on the factory floor, cleaning, lubricating and maintaining parts on the machines to being in the office, analysing data and creating presentations to identify root causes and how they can be resolved. Problem solving skills are crucial in the apprenticeship and allows you to work with all the different departments to get an idea of what area you want to pursue.

Presentation skills, especially identifying trends and being able to pinpoint losses and areas of improvement and then understanding the most appropriate people who will be able to help you resolve the problem. Problem solving skills have without doubt been developed as I am doing it everyday. Whether it be through training people a new way of working or how to prevent something from happening again through health and safety etc.

The people I'm working with have been excellent. Everyone allows you to be confident as soon as you join the team so you are confident and comfortable. No matter your age, you are trusted with jobs and actions to carry out with deadlines and any suggestions or new ideas are always met with feedback and took into consideration

The programme is well structured, with a clear timetable of what you need and where you need to be when you arrive as you go through inductions and basic training sessions. As the programme develops you set yearly targets with weekly updates and catch ups with your manager to review progress, and to ensure you are on track for meeting objectives.

There is support available all the time no matter who you turn to, whether it be your manager, someone you are closer with at work, or someone external off site, such as the head of Nestle apprenticeships is always on hand as well as well-being sessions in place. There is without doubt as much support as you feel you need.

As well as face to face learning with the training provider, the website used to keep your portfolio and objectives updated is very good. There is always someone on hand from the university to reply to any needs you have. As well as clear and manageable deadlines set from them when a piece of work is due in.

Lincoln university as a training provider not only gives you stability whilst at work in terms of qualifications and building your portfolio. It gives you awareness in terms of safety and quality for when you go back to your site and allows you to view ways of working in a different way to get better results.

There are many events throughout the year to get involved in, especially through charity events in teams or on your own. Whether is be marathons, tough Mudda or online quiz's and bake sales there is definitely always something to sign up for and get involved in with all profits going to various charities nationally and in the local area.

Yes

Working for a stable company like Nestle gives you an excellent foundation to build your career and decide what department you want to go into whilst getting paid and learning. You are always looked after as you explore and unlock different areas of knowledge and skills you didn't know you had.

Be yourself, be confident and see everyday as a way to impress. Be prepared for a lot of problem solving and not being afraid of thinking outside the box. Take every opportunity that comes your way. Gain as much knowledge of the site as a whole, building your contacts and working with different people until you find what area you want to pursue but keeping your options open.