Rating

8.1/10
  • 1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
  • Job Title - Research and Development Apprentice (packaging technology) Daily Tasks - CAD modelling, meetings with suppliers, Material Testing, Rapid prototyping etc. Daily interactions - Packaging team, Supply chain team, Marketing team, suppliers (mouldmakers, prototyping firms, masterbatch firms etc). Responsibilities - Modelling and issuing 2D and 3D CAD data, qualifying mould tools, delivering innovation projects.

    9/10

  • 2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
  • Qualifications - Diploma in Packaging Technology, BEng in Manufacturing Systems Engineering. Training courses - CAD training, CMM training, Rigid Plastics training, DoE training, PLM software training, etc. Personal Skills - Confidence, ability to work in a team, presenting information, etc.

    10/10

  • 3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
  • Work - The work is very interesting and engaging. I feel like I am actively contributing to the company's success. Team - Packaging team are very friendly. Nice atmosphere to work in. Company Culture - Company takes excellent care of employees. Example includes wellbeing sessions that are held regularly on site. Job turned out different from initial expectations, however this was a positive thing. The apprenticeship is very enjoyable.

    9/10

  • 4. How valued do you feel by Unilever?
  • Unilever makes apprentices feel like a vital part of the business. Apprentices often referred to by the leadership as the future of the company. I have been involved in a number of projects where the importance of my work was the same as a regular employee.

    8/10

  • 5. How well organised/structured is your programme?
  • Initial induction and introduction to the team was good. However the programme was not as structured as I had hoped (placements were often delayed due to lack of organisation). This is to be expected as I was the first packaging apprentice for this site. Structure has improved over time.

    6/10

  • 6a. How much support do you receive from your training provider?
  • University have been active in ensuring the apprenticeship runs smoothly from their end. Any problems I raised were quickly dealt with. Quality of tuition varies based on the lecturers, however overall pretty good.

    7/10

  • 6b. How much support do you receive from your employer?
  • Manager and packaging team very supportive and helpful. Everyone is always willing to help me learn. HR team generally quite slow in solving issues, however issues always solved eventually.

    9/10

  • 7. How well does your salary/package meet your costs?
  • I still live with parents so salary definitely exceeds my costs. May be a different story if I lived alone but cannot confirm.

    8/10

  • 8. Are there many opportunities outside of work?
  • There are regular team events such as training days, teambuilding days, supplier visits etc. Some opportunities to travel abroad, however this depends on what project you are working on.

    7/10

  • 9. Would you recommend Unilever to a friend?
  • Yes


  • 9b. Why?
  • Massive company that has a reputation for looking after its employees. Also, one of the few companies to offer degree apprenticeships (as of the time I applied).


  • 10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Unilever?
  • Do your research about the company and the role you are applying for.


Details

Higher Level Apprenticeship

Engineering, Science

North West

April 2016


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