Procurement, Supply Chain & Logistics Apprentice Review

I have different placements over the two year programme - so far I have had the role of a buyer, day-to-day tasks involved converting requisitions to requests for quotation, through to receipting purchase orders, meeting with stakeholders and learning our internal systems, such as our ERP system. My current placement is in reporting, where I collate, analyse and report internal company data to senior management, which is flowed back down to various departments where extra work may be required, for example overdue invoices.

As my first office job, I have learnt and built on many skills. New skills I have acquired include Excel and supplier relationship management (my previous job was as a cashier, so I have now been on both sides of professional transactions). I have been able to build on my communication and teamwork skills. My previous placement in the apprenticeship I was part of a small team who were extremely kind, welcoming and helpful. I was able to lean on them when I wasn't sure of something, and I was able to make an actual difference towards the end of the placement, helping out my team where I could.

10/10 so far. I am treated extremely well by the company as a whole and by the senior staff around me. There are countless opportunities to do extra-curricular activities to grow and develop as a professional. We are encouraged to spend time with the other apprentices (and sometimes graduates) outside of work, which Babcock will even fund on occasion.

The year I joined was the first year where our placements have been decided for us. Previous years have chosen their own placements, and in both cases there are benefits and drawbacks. Over the two years, I will have 5 pre-determined placements, with the last couple of months being a placement of my choosing as I complete the end point assessment. I believe this structure is better than previous years, as it forces me to experience more aspects of the business than I would have otherwise - I may have found one placement I really enjoyed and stuck with that for the entire apprenticeship. This is what would have likely happened had I been given the option, as I enjoyed my first placement so much, as such I would have missed out on many experiences. That being said, two of the placements I expect will be quite similar to one another, although they will be in different teams the day-to-day tasks will be much the same. I cannot say this for certain as I have been (pleasantly) surprised by some of the work I have been set in placements I have done already. Given that this is also the first year the apprenticeships have been structured this way, it is very difficult to give a definitive rating of the structure until I have completed it.

All the support I could need and more. On top of a generous salary for an apprenticeship, we are offered various employee benefits, such as the employee share scheme I have recently signed up to, as well as free courses on Excel, for example.

We are given an entire day dedicated to 'college' work, and there are many employees at Babcock that have completed the same course I am doing, including my previous line manager, so any questions or concerns I have regarding my learning are quickly and effectively answered.

Extremely well. The course I am completing is directly relevant to the work I complete and has been very helpful from day one.

Yes. Often entire days are dedicated to professional trips ('away days'), numerous social activities and networking events are on offer throughout the year, and offers to take part in sporting and charity events are posted on our internal network.

Yes

The opportunities detailed earlier in the survey.

Be yourself. Whilst Babcock is a very professional environment, the people are friendly and welcoming, and connecting with the interviewer and your colleagues on a personal level will be extremely beneficial for you personal and professional development.