Apprentice Business Developer Review

by Howdens

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

5.5/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

I would come in on a morning and complete the daily paperwork, I would then get on the day with the targets set for me regarding my AMR coverage. Occasionally I would have had to serve on the counter.

8/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

Yes, I definitely learnt new skills during my apprenticeship. One of the massive ones were customer service skills, in that job role it is crucial that you learn how to engage with the customer to get the outcome you want.

9/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

In terms of actually being on the job it was great, I enjoy working and I like the people I work with. In regards to the tutoring apprenticeship sessions and the off the job bit, I thought it was fairly inconsistent and not entirely helpful.

4/10

4. How well organised/structured is your programme?

Again, I believe the organisation of the off-the-job side of it with my tutor is poor. A lot of sessions we had booked in would be cancelled and in the first 6 months of my apprenticeship I think I had two sessions.

3/10

5. How much support do you receive from your employer?

My employer has been massively helpful throughout my apprenticeship. If I needed anything or needed to know any extra information then I could go to them without any hesitation.

10/10

6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

I believe the support I received from my training provider was not up to the standard that I expected it to be at. They were difficult to get in touch with and saw them very infrequently.

2/10

7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

I think a lot of what I learnt on my apprenticeship came through actually being on the job with my employer and the contribution from the off the job provider was minimal in comparison to this.

2/10

8. Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)

We do some different sporting opportunities such as, rounders, Go- Karting etc. These are brilliant opportunities to meet new people and go bond with a team. In the last few years it has been made harder to go do these things which is a shame, but it is still a positive it is there.

6/10

9a. Would you recommend Howdens to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

I believe in general, Howdens is a supportive company in terms of an apprenticeship. You get a strong qualification out of it and can learn on the job in a friendly depot environment, it is a place to further your learning and start your journey in the working industry.

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Howdens?

Take your time and do not expect to know everything right away. One of the biggest things about Howdens is the products and the knowledge of the products, with their being so many there is not a chance you will know them over night. SO if a customer ask you a question you do not know, don't pretend to know it and get it wrong.