Business Apprentice Review

As a Business Apprentice, I will be rotating around different departments in the company. I am currently in a Finance placement, which involves looking at the monthly accounts of the company and analysing them. As a part of my apprenticeship, I am completing a course in Business Administration, where I will face an End Point Assessment towards the end.

I have picked up skills in a variety of new programmes, the main one being SAP, which I had not even heard of prior to starting this role. I have developed my Excel skills massively, as it is a part of day-to-day life in this role. Furthermore, my social skills are being furthered due to liaising with colleagues regularly.

I feel a great sense of satisfaction when completing the work I am set, as it challenges me and my way of thinking. The team I work with also make the programme more enjoyable, as they ensure that I am fully supported at all times. There is a positive working culture at the company, which exceeded my original expectations of working life.

There was an induction period right at the start, which allowed me to gradually settle in and not feel overwhelmed. Then, I was given a timetable which showed me which departments I would be in for the two years of my apprenticeship. However, these placements are flexible and I am generally allowed to spend time where I am suited best. I am given time to complete my college work throughout each month, so the programme is very well-organised.

I have bi-weekly meetings with my Apprenticeship Training Officer, who makes sure I am happy in my placement and have np issues. Furthermore, my placement managers check in on me most days in case my workload becomes too much or I need help, which is given almost immediately without any problems.

I have monthly catch-ups with my training provider, during which they guide me through the latest tasks to complete and provide me with feedback from the previous set of tasks. I am also given the opportunity to ask any questions I have and am never left feeling like I'm not supported.

The tasks I am given as part of my qualification are generally research-based tasks on the company, allowing me to find out new information about it, which has come in handy for my role. I have learnt more about the sector of the business, in addition to its political nature, which is something I had little knowledge of beforehand.

There are a multitude of charity events at the company, which allows people to socialise all for a good cause. These include golf days, car washing events and charity balls. There were also extra curricular activities introduced during lockdown, such as company yoga. These events are based both inside and outside of the site area; this gives people more flexibility.

Yes

Leonardo welcomes all employees warmly, and allows them to develop a multitude of skills, no matter what stage they are at in their career. The apprentice and graduate programmes assist young people in launching their career, providing them with a multitude of options for their futures. Finally, Leonardo allows employees to work flexibly, giving them a healthy work-life balance.

When first applying for the role, attention to detail is key on the application form; it may be tempting to rush through the many pages but it will be evident when the company are reviewing the forms. With regards to the interview process, it is important to prepare for any kind of question they throw at you, and let them get to know the real person. Punctuality is a must for the induction period, as you want to make a good impression on your first few days. Asking plenty of questions is vital, as it allows you to discover as much about the company as possible early on.