Higher Apprentice - Operations management Review

Days vary daily depending on what's happening around site. My duties include but not limited to; looking after site mobile plant (keeping up to standards, defect resolving, filing, inspections, etc), site sponsor for any relevant contractors, to shadow other departments (for my first year as part of my personal development plan), attend daily meetings and more.

Yes, my communication skills have developed significantly during my 8 months at Aberthaw so far. As effective comms are vital for on-site relations and work in general. I've become more confident and continue to develop relations and experience daily. Most significantly, my process knowledge has developed hugely, having knowing nothing about cement manufacture to feeling confident teaching other people within 8 months. However, on-site here, every day is a school day, people with decades experience find themselves learning something new daily.

Hugely. Although cliché, I've fallen in love with the industry. There's a really good family here at aberthaw and I'm honoured to be a part of it. Site morale is almost always high. And above all-else I can really see myself in this industry for life. Whether at another spot in the country or the other side of the world. I love cement!

Moderately. There have been quite a few occasions where different ends of the business have lacked communication resulting in dates being sprung on me last minute with date clashes and un-preparedness, etc. Also, personally, my first couple of months were very un-structured due to a communication issue which meant almost everybody I was dealing with was not aware of me being under 18. This led to all sorts of confusion, delays and other issues.

Plenty. I've got plenty of support locally/ on-site for any queries or concerns I ever have. I've also got some off-site support in the form of my PODP-allocated training manager, other PODP staff, HR contacts, contacts on other sites, etc. I feel very supported here at Tarmac, CRH.

Plenty. The team at the internal training facility (Tarmac national skills and safety park/ The Park) go above and beyond to ensure all candidates are meeting their targets and whatnot. In the form of monthly catch ups, meetings, calls, messages, emails and site visits. Great team giving great support. a

The Professional operator development programme (podp) for myself is a bit of a time filler due to enrolment into Derby university has been pushed back a year. However, it's a situation I'm very grateful for, because during this first year, I'll get industry experience as well as all of the relevant training necessary for on-site development. Such as; H&S training, confined space, working at height, etc. All top be completed within the space of a year which would otherwise take many years waiting for an external training provider to come to aberthaw for each individual training course.

Yes. There are a couple of works nights-out dotted throughout the year, most famously the Vale-Ale-Tour. Also a good handful of avid cyclists on-site which get together and cycle frequently. As for new-starters, there are development programmes business-wide such as core skills programme and employee development programme which look at developing corporate and soft skills.

Yes

Career development appears to be spot-on. Tends to be work for life, knowing many people with 10, 20, 30, 40+ years with the business. Material manufacture is an interesting industry with worldwide applications and opportunities available, always. You'll tend to find a good bunch/ family with a Tarmac site, from my experience too.

Once you're in, you're in. I'd say we're quite a sought after employer so prepare for a competitive and scrutinising interview and application process, depending on the role in question of course. But, I would emphasise that it is worth it if you've a fruitful career in mind.