Supply chain apprentice Review

My role includes supporting the supply of clinical trials through completing task-based activities that ensures supply runs smoothly. My main area is supporting AstraZeneca's pack order process to ensure that trial medicine is packed to the correct amount and on time to our suppliers internationally. I also have been given the responsibility of looking after reporting metrics for different aspects of AZ's supply chain.

Yes - I have developed professional skills that will enhance my career including, time management, good meeting conduct, problem-solving and analytical skills.

Overall, I enjoy my programme, I find my work interesting and I enjoy working at AstraZeneca with the added motivation that my work contributes to patients, however I believe there are definitely areas of improvement to the programme.

I think my programme is particularly well structured / organised. I have been kept informed about changes to my apprenticeship, the length of time and rotation intervals right from the beginning.

During the very beginning of the apprenticeship, I received great support, with a dedicated induction week set with the goal of ensuring we settled in okay and were ready to begin our roles, once settled in, managers keep in touch with quarterly check ins which is the opportunity to raise concerns / successes over the previous quarter.

My training provider has provided support and I have found it okay, they provide ample opportunity to answer questions you may have within a certain module, however this aside there isn't many other chances of support and I have found 1-1 time with lecturers difficult to get. This being said, I think the support provided is enough to get you through the modules with opportunity to excel, however there is a lot of individual trial and error and personal reviewing of your own work to navigate the modules.

This question is difficult to answer due to me being in the early stages of my degree, however from knowledge, the degree covers all aspects of supply chain within a business. However, it is very much from a commercial view with topics such as inventory management and procurement. This does contrast somewhat from my current role which is quite niche in a supply chain landscape and I would not say that my qualification contributes massively to my role performance at this moment in time. Although, I would say that with rotations to different roles it is definitely possible that my degree does have the potential to benefit me more in those roles than the one I am in right now.

I think AstraZeneca is particularly good at this, through the 5 months I have been here there has been lots of social activities and professional networking events, the highlight for me being the Christmas party in Manchester. There is definitely a wealth of events that allow for social time and networking within the workplace, which is particularly good as an apprentice who is looking to settle in to their first place of work.

Yes

I would recommend AZ to a friend because I believe it is overall a good place to work. You get listened to if you have concerns to raise, praised for successes and you do feel like an integral part of your team, not 'just an apprentice', you are given real responsibility. A degree that is supported by the company is also a fantastic, hugely beneficial factor to me and my career whilst getting valuable experience in a massive business.

I would say to make sure you get a solid, overall view of your role so you can build a proper picture and make sure it is for you. Get experience outside of an education setting i.e volunteering / a relevant workplace to the role you are going for to make your application / CV stronger. Prior to an interview, do some research on the company, what it stands for and how you might be capable of showing and aligning to those values.