Operations Leadership Apprentice Review

The course is broken down into 4 month rotational placments. The rotation I am currently in, is being part of the Sourcing team, working in the aftermarket business. The main bulk of work is towards ordering provisioning parts, this is done through a variety of software packages and alos requires interactions with suppliers. The orders being placed have to be in line with demand, as the demand can change, it is critical to order only what is needed and understanding the dynamics of inventry cost. A project I have been assigned during this placment is to create a system which stores supplier quotations, which is searchable and secure.

- Public speaking, improved significantly through university assignments - Health and saftey courses - Organisational skills and teaming building, i2i development training - Tagging training - Influencing skills, internal course - Change managment skills, university studies

Rotational scheme means that there is a wide variety of work to be done and people and teams to get involved with. Every team that I have worked within or helped lead have been a great expereince challaging at times but have more than helpful. The culture GE fosters is open, structured and optimistic and is my favourite part of the business, they are very keen on engagement activties and helping the local communtiy. This is directly seen within the course, with a great community of apprentices. The course most definatly exceeded expectations.

Manager apreciation varys, which is understandable, but by having several reveiws in each placement, feedback is always recieved and is constructive. I have gained a bronze award as part of the reward and recognition program for a peice of media work. All teams I have worked with, I have always been given some sort of responsibility within that team. So all in all, i believe i am a valued member of the business.

At first the program I beleive lacked organisation, however in the last 12 months helped significantly by a full time course leader, the coruse has tranformed entriely. New induction, whcih is enaging and interactive. Good quality lectures, variety of traing to attend both compulsory and non. Weekley allocted time to study for assignments, 5 hours per week. As much support as possible, this is no exageration, every single problem I have encontered I have had support to resolve.

At first there were issues with our training provider, in terms of course material delivery, assignment deadlines etc. However with the help of a course leader, better commnuication between each other, our training is substantially better. As far as guidence, there could be slightly more than there is. I have enjoed the training so far and has helped me with lots of essential skills such as public speaking.

I have found that when support is asked for it is given. We have monthly meetings with mentors to discuss any issues we may have. There is more than enough support with mentors, course leaders, managers and collegeues.

Salary is high in relation to other apprenticships and cover almost everything I want to do and need to buy. This includes living costs, running a car and social costs.

GE encourge all employee's to get involved in engagment activties, whether that to join in a sport team such as football, rugby, skittles, cycling etc. Volunteering e.g. painting schools, rasing money for charities. Groups such as imagineering, GirlsGet Set and Womens Network, have a complete range of 'out of work' activities to get involved in.

Yes

Open/friendly culture, variety of work, apprentice community, study funded by GE, good salary, worldwide business with almost endless opportunity.

Be honest in everything you do and say during this process. It is a lengthy process, however is worth it. Personally I would prepare for a behavioural interview, be prepared with examples.