Rating
- 1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
- 2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
- 3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
- 4. How well organised/structured is your programme?
- 5. How much support do you receive from your employer?
- 6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
- 7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
- 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.)
- 9a. Would you recommend Unilever to a friend?
- 9b. Why?
- 10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Unilever?
Currently, I'm in the team that develops the corporate website so I've had the opportunity to use software engineering skills to enhance accessibility features, supported by senior frontend developers.
I've had several roles at Unilever, all allowing me to develop various skills and knowledge such as management of projects, stakeholders, third-parties/vendor, and technology, and data analysis, cyber security, digital marketing, etc. There are internal and external resources provided by Unilever to help gain new skills, e.g. through Degreed, LinkedIn Learning, and Udemy.
I've really enjoyed my apprenticeship at Unilever. I've managed to get many responsibilities and experiences I didn't expect would be possible at this early stage of my career. I'm glad to have taken the opportunities, as it has set a good foundation for me when I reach the end of my apprenticeship.
The degree apprenticeship programme is structured well. I have a dedicated mentor who supports and provides feedback in the quarterly reviews with the university. I get one day a week as study leave, and sometimes extra study days during exam period when it can get overwhelming, when requesting this to my manager in advance.
There are many support systems internally. When you get the opportunity to change roles during the degree apprenticeship, Unilever can be flexible in what role you get when sharing what skills you would like to develop further and why. I have been able to get role rotations yearly, and at the midway point and end point, we have work reviews which helps to reflect upon achievements gained in the team, things that could improve, etc. so it's a chance to take and give feedback to receive even more support.
The Open University provides a dedicated practice tutor who oversees my overall progress with assignments, and e-portfolio. The tutorials are recorded so you can watch them in your own time (which is helpful when you take only a particular day off to study). Module tutors provide further help via emails, and sometimes via calls in meetings, e.g. for the work-based project at the end of the apprenticeship.
A lot of soft skills that I've learnt about at The Open University is applicable at work, e.g. project and stakeholder management, report writing, etc.
Plenty of activities going on at work to help build professional connections! There's a social committee for each workplace location who organise engaging events, and there's a community for the future careers population to meet fellow apprentices.
Yes
There are so many positives to working at Unilever, from the culture, flexibility (considering personal circumstances), and the types of experiences you can gain!
Take as many opportunities you can get, and carve out any yourself which feel passionate about!
Details
Degree Apprenticeship
Information Technology
London
May 2024