Production Higher Apprentice Review

I work on various projects around site to improve health and safety and optimize the operation of the plant. The projects vary from implementing safe working procedures and installing equipment to improve health and safety, to planning and co-ordinating high scale process improvements by installation of new vessels or upgrades of the existing plant. I am also involved in ensuring the day-to-day operation of the plant while doing projects.

I have learnt several skills including communication, confidence, and most important of all, project management. I get the chance in my job to communicate and co-ordinate jobs with people from different backgrounds and experience, which has improved my communication to allow me to achieve success in the projects. My time management and critical thinking has also improved highly.

I enjoy the fact that I work in an environment where there is something new and challenging every day, which makes me excited to come to work every morning. Everyone at work is really supportive towards my learning, especially the senior people as they have a lot of information to share from their experience working and that allows for my development in my role.

The programme is very structured as I am doing a degree where I have modules to complete besides also working on industry specific qualifications. My line manager and my university professors have regular meetings to discuss my progress not just at work but also at university. I am aware of what I need to achieve and by when.

I am supported highly as there is huge investment in my training to ensure I can make the most of my time as an apprentice to learn the critical necessary skills required to be able to move into a full time role. There is support in all aspects such as health and safety training and specific job-related courses.

I am supported highly by my university professors, not just in matters of studying at university but also work related as my professors are all experienced professionals from the industry themselves and they have a lot of knowledge to share which can benefit me in my daily job, particularly when it gets to technical aspects of my job.

My degree is highly relevant to the industry as I learn about the regulations and the technical aspects of operating a production facility I work at. Although I learn a lot from experience and senior people at work, the qualification allows me to have the basic theoretical knowledge before I apply it and work on the knowledge.

Yes, there are several events that happen at work and at other sites in the company where all early careers people in the company meet, share experiences and learn together while building the networks with each other from all different sites around the country. There are also parties and gathering outside of work where employees on the plant meet, have dinner together and enjoy.

Yes

Tarmac is a big company firstly and everyone at Tarmac looks to support your growth, and they will allow you to fit into the right place based on your individual competencies. There is a lot of investment in the programme Tarmac has for apprentices and graduates where you get to learn a lot and work on yourself.

Make sure you do your research about what we do at Tarmac and also look into what the job role requires, and Tarmac does a multitude of things in the mineral products industry in the UK. It will be a great help in the interview process if you know about the specific discipline in the industry you have applied for.