Future Leader Degree Apprentice - Product Owner Review

It sounds cliché, but no day is the same, which makes it an extremely exciting scheme and something I would completely recommend to anyone. I work with multiple departments with stakeholders at all levels of seniority, on projects to deliver impact for the business. Being able to lead and coordinate these opportunities has allowed me to develop significantly.

Coming straight out of sixth form, where I did not know what I wanted to do long term, to having a trial run in different areas of a big company like E.ON has allowed me to not only realise the area I want to specialise in but also allowed me to continue to learn for my own personal development. As well as building my professional network throughout. Without this apprenticeship I may have spent years changing roles, completing interviews and moving to different companies to ultimately be in a role that I felt unfulfilled in and not utilising my strengths and passions. In addition this apprenticeship scheme has enabled me to grow my confidence and improve my communication massively which I don’t believe I would have been able to do so quickly through the traditional higher education route.

As a young person, working out what steps to take for your career can be a daunting, however I believe an apprenticeship was 100% the best route for me. As an apprentice, you can start climbing the career ladder straight from school whilst gaining qualifications, meaning I’ll have another opportunity to be ahead of my competition. It also allows me to build up a real rapport with my employer, meaning that there is huge opportunity of becoming a full-time employee once the four-year scheme is over. I have enjoyed the programme whole heartedly and would definitely recommend anyone to do an apprenticeship. This degree apprenticeship approach has provided me with the ideal balance of working, earning, and learning.

Within this role I am given the opportunity to move department every 6 months to a new area of the business, this has not only allowed me to gain experience in different areas such as HR, Strategy and Highways Lighting just to name a few. But as well as this it has helped me to identify for myself what areas I am really passionate about and apply my university learnings to my current role. I would suggest all organisations to structure their programmes in this way as coming straight out of sixth form, where I did not know what I wanted to do long term. it has allowed me to understand clearly my strengths and passions. As well as identify my areas of improvement so i can continuously develop

I think E.ON provides a robust support network and structure for every programme. When I started i was provided a mentor and a Buddy (someone who has been through a similar apprenticeship scheme to help support any day to day questions). As well as this I have a line manager as well as an early careers consultant to support me on my differing requirements when necessary, whether that is a apprenticeship query or a role query. There is always someone on hand to support.

I have a Tutor as well as an E.ON partner manager from the university to ensure i am getting the right level of support when needed and can contact at any time. We have all the resource accessible online so we access this when ever we need at whatever time of day so is flexible around my work schedule.

Being able to bring in my university teachings and using real work examples has enabled me to embed this knowledge deeper than just studying alone. I think doing an apprenticeship allows you to utalise teachings straight away and put it into practice which in invaluable. i have been able to take on new opportunities with more confidence as i have a foundation knowledge from my university studies in areas such as finance and new strategy considerations.

We have quarterly community days where all degree apprentices come together to focus on development areas and come together to socialise and catch up and network. As well as this we have a weekly football team set up for our apprentices which allows everyone to either play or just watch and build better working relationships and networks.

Yes

E.ON has not only helped me shape my career but enabled me to become the confident and experienced individual i am today. I would never have been able to develop so quickly in the workplace if it wasn't for this experience and the way this scheme is structured. As well as the support i have been given throughout. The organisation is very welcoming, everyone is really friendly and willing to help at all levels of the organisation. E.ON is a very good employer, they pay a very resonable apprentice salary way above the national wage. In addition E.ON has flexible ways of working which works round the individuals in this hybrid working model. All of this put togther makes you feel valued as an employee and i couldn't recommend E.ON anymore.

My advice would to just be your honest and authentic self. E.ON welcome anyone from any background and just want everyone to be able to be themselves and play to their strengths, so that you can make an impact as individual and as a team to our organisation but ultimately add significant value in helping to lead the change in the energy transition.