Product Development Chartered Manager Degree Apprentice Review

I assist with managing one of the buildings on site, this includes the finance and budgets, contact with external suppliers/engineers, risk assessments and health and safety, lean and continuous improvements, and the managing of all equipment and facilities to ensure they are ready and available when needed. I am also accountable for documentation that relates to the building and keeping it up to date.

Combining my university learning with my on the job and off the job training I have learnt a number of new skills. Some soft skills that I feel have significantly developed are communication, leadership, presentation skills, inclusivity and agility. I have also gained knowledge in organisational structures and tools to support these, finance and capital programs, sales and marketing and general knowledge of the business environment.

I enjoy the challenge that comes with my program, I feel as though it has helped me to develop quicker than if I had just gone to university. I also enjoy the networking opportunities I have. I never have two days that look the same which I enjoy as it keeps me learning and helps me to develop in a range of skill areas.

I get my off the job time every Friday and that is put in my calendar as out of office so the time is very well protected, I also have face to face contact time with my university once a month which I think helps to keep me on top of my work load as we go through the expectations every 4 weeks. My learning on the job is also well structured, it has gradually built up over time so as to not overload me but now allows me to be involved in a range of activities

I have bi-weekly meetings with my manager to check up on my progress and general well-being. In this meeting she checks if I need any help with finding evidence for my portfolio or with an assignment as well as checking on my 'day job' tasks. I also have a plan set up for the next 12 months to make sure that all goals that need to be met by the end of my apprenticeship can be.

We have contact tie scheduled every 4 weeks with module tutors to cover key theory and knowledge and then follow up optional drop in sessions in between this time. I also have an academic tutor meeting three times a year to allow her to check with my employer and me on how my progress is in the workplace.

A number of the modules link directly into my role and so the models and techniques learnt can be easily applied. Some of the modules that are less relevant to my role, I can still use the techniques learnt such as the communication from assignments or the soft skills covered to apply to my role.

There are a number of employee resource groups that people can join as well as a designated apprentice social society that help apprentices to still feel as though they get an element of that university experience and to network with each other. There is always a number of networking events and opportunities from different groups.

Yes

The apprenticeship program is run excellently, there is plenty of support and opportunities for growth and development and they are really keen to have apprentices be the ones involved in key projects. The company as a whole is very welcoming and prides itself on making it a great place to work which makes it much easier to feel comfortable to push yourself within and extending outside of your role.

The main thing that is looked for throughout the application progress is that you will fit into the team. The grades and academics, work experience etc all help and are very important but it is equally important that you can show you are a team player and that you are willing to work hard. Make sure you can relate something to AstraZeneca's values as these play a huge part in what we do as a company.