IT Apprentice Review

In my current role, I am a process specialist within global external sourcing in supply chain. Day to day I look at existing processes in the supply planning teams that are manual and look at ways we can automate and digitalise them saving time, resource and money for supply chain. As part of my apprenticeship I have the ability to rotate into different departments every 8 months and I am rotating into a different role soon.

In my new role I have learnt new skills such as project management and developed my existing skills especially communication, leadership, presenting and organisation. These have massively been developed in the last 8 months in my new role.

I enjoy my programme as I love the ability to rotate around different departments to gather as much experience as possible throughout my apprenticeship. Each rotation I have done have been different and I have developed a variety of skills in each one. It is a unique apprenticeship that not many other competitors offer.

It is fairly well structured. The date when we have to rotate into another department is always clear however the process of finding another rotation is unstructured. I normally talk to other apprentices, talk to department leads to find out more information about specific departments I am interested in. There is some support from our early talent managers when picking rotations .

There is lots of support at AstraZeneca in particular from other apprentices. Each apprentice is assigned a buddy and a mentor to aid them when they first start. These are so important throughout the apprenticeship as they offer advice for small or large problems. We also have a early talent manager that catches up with us once a month to support and assist.

We receive good support form uni tutors at MMU. They provide us with adequate resources for our assignments to assist us. We are also assigned a skills coach who checks in with us every few months so we can ask any questions we may need to around uni, timetables or anything else that may be concerning us.

Most uni assignments are work based or they give us case studies to relate back to that are scenarios that could have in the workplace. This allows me to perform better as I am developing work based skills not only in work by also at uni. Working with other apprentices and learning about how they use different processes/methodologies in their organisations is also massively beneficial.

There are several groups set up for networking events to keep apprentices connected who are not only IT apprentices but also from other areas of the business to help widen our apprentice circle. I am not aware of any sport teams I could join but I would be keen to join if they were available.

Yes

It is a very unique apprenticeship that allows you to rotate around departments harnessing and developing skills. I am very well supported by line managers who are always keen to get apprentices into their team to see what work they can produce. It is a great environment to work in that challenges, inspires and if full of opportunities for young people just starting in their career.

I would advise them to look at the AstraZeneca values as they are very important to the company and individuals for personal development and goal setting. I would also advise them to talk to other apprentices and the education provider to find out as much information as possible about the scheme.