Supply Chain Apprentice Review

Supply chain is the process of getting goods from one place to another and involves logistics & transport, procurement and manufacturing to get this done. On a daily basis it involves all of these aspects like speaking to engineering to understand the goods we need, then speaking with suppliers to understand the price and lead times, purchasing the goods and then delivering them to customers.

I have learnt many new skills that involve; communication, eg. presenting things to other people/ asking people for help, IT skills, eg. excel/ power point/ outlook/ the company's own ERP system, and finally time management, eg. I understand how to prioritise tasks to work effectively/ I have adapted to working well in an office environment.

So far I really enjoy my programme, we have four 6 month long placements during my apprenticeship and my first one was extremely beneficial as the workload was good, I felt supported in my environment and I was never worried to ask for help. I am currently in my second placement and it's again really enjoyable because I am meeting new people and expanding my knowledge and skills.

The programme is structured well, eg. I always know when my college working days are, I know when I move placements, I know who to contact when I need help. However, I wish there was more communication between early careers and the apprentices as all the information we get is usually from someone having to ask for it, although I understand the workload they have and it' not always easy to to get information across quickly.

As I mentioned above, from our early careers side of things there could be more communication between us. However, as for my line managers/ college tutor/ colleagues I feel fully supported in everyway and have never felt a need to ask for more support from any of them.

The workshops I undergo during my training days have good material in them and I feel I get all the information I need, however from a learning side of things I feel there is a need for more interactive activities to give me the full confidence I understand what I'm learning.

At the start, it was very beneficial because we learnt about the basics which you I need in any aspect of the job I'm doing. Recently, I feel the things I'm learning don't currently apply to me in my role, but after speaking to other apprentices I feel it just depends where you are in the business as to whether the workshops being given apply to your current day to day work.

There are many social activities that take place, especially with the apprentices as I have attended many outside of work meals with colleagues that I personally think helps develop your work relationship with them. There is also the bike to work scheme which I know many people also get involved with. As an apprentice as well there are opportunities to get involved with 'stretch assignments' which could involve helping out at open events, being a STEM ambassador and visiting schools to help out on STEM days etc.

Yes

It's a great company to work for that will support you the entire time during your employment there. It is especially good for young people to adjust to the working life as even when I first arrived after the first week I felt settled into the job and didn't have any worries or concerns.

Get involved with extra curricula activities, like social events and helping out at STEM days/ open events because it helps to network with other people in the business which in a few years could be very beneficial to your job as you will have all these contacts to go to for help if ever needed.