Supply Chain Management Degree Apprentice Review

My current job role consists of working in Continuous Improvement and implementing quality management at my facility. I work at a flagship facility in the Midlands region having moved from a very poor, old facility. My new facility is very fast paced and offers lots of areas for growth

Initially at my first site I'd say I learnt a lot of what not to do! Unfortunately I didn't develop any skills and had dismal managerial support throughout my scheme, at my first placement. I've now moved site and changed job roles. I've learnt a lot such as Excel, Warehouse Management Systems, Customer Communications.

If I was asked this question 2/3 Months ago I'd give this question a 2/10, as my first placement was a disaster! However now I've moved facility I'm enjoying my programme much more and gaining lots of skills. I like meeting new people and applying knowledge from my university course into the real world.

The university element is very well structured with us studying always on a Friday. However in terms of personal development/on site learning there was NO structure at all. HR hadn't communicated to us that we had to form our own development plans when we joined the scheme. Managerial support is very site dependent and I personally don't believe some managers understand how degree apprenticeships work! This was certainly the case at my site. My managers knowledge of my apprenticeship was frankly embarrasing! Leaving school at 18 and going straight into a new working environment, no-one was welcoming or willing to show an interest in my scheme whatsoever.

HR and Emerging Talent can be very supportive. However through my experience I've had poor communication on internal systems and expenses and find problems take too long to solve, especially when we were new to the business and don't understand the internal systems. DHL is a large comapny but it does have it's downsides , it can take up to weeks to have a response!

The training providers at Aston University are very supportive and welcoming. We have dedicated coaches whom respond swiftly should we have any concerns regarding the academic side of our apprenticeship. Also we have access to online libraries and information portals to help us with our studying. The online studying works well.

As I'm in the early strages of my apprenticeship, this is hard to comment on. So far I believe the studying at univeristy helps with the "common-sense" of the industry. As we develop in our careers I can see us using more of advanced skills from our course in our day to day life.

Within DHL there is lots of activities online/ on the company portal. However at my site, from what I'm aware of there is no sports teams or activities. If I'm honest i think some of the activities I see on my company portal are just corporate PR and not accessible to the masses.

No

As an aspiring degree apprentice I don't think I'd recommend joining DHL. I'm fortunate enough to work at a state of the art facility with an excellent manager. However I know myself that many apprenticeship managers are unorganised and many sites aren't welcoming nor promote young talent. Also I believe the company is too big and the Emerging Talent department are overworked. Also due to the size of the company trying to get support and set up on systems is very challenging and time consuming. I'd suggest others to learn their craft at a smaller business then join DHL later in their career once they've obtained more knowledge. Despite this a degree apprenticeship is still the better option to university.

I'd advise to get a driving license. Without this you'll struggle as an apprentice as you have to travel to locations not easily accessible by public transport. Also I'd create a DEVELOPMENT PLAN straight away with your line manager. As DHL didn't communicate to my consort that we has to create one ourselves. Also you have to be DISCIPLINED, without this you won't get far on this scheme.