Planning & Control Higher Apprentice Review

My apprenticeship is a planning & control apprenticeship within the supply chain at Rolls-Royce. Day-to-day I work in a placement (changed every 5 months) that is somewhere along the supply chain, that could be from making sure that parts are being delivered on time and to quality from suppliers or looking at designing the supply chain amongst a few other different areas too.

As part of the course I complete courses such as professional development, manual handling, employee right and responsibilities and go to University, so the skills I have gained are vast and worthwhile in the business place.

My programme is enjoyable - it's flexible to my working needs, tailored in the sense that I get to have a say in what I get to do and that I get given responsibility and has great job prospects at the end of it with a renowned company.

Rolls-Royce put a lot of faith in apprentices to be the next generation of the workforce and this really shows with what the offer on my course - a University degree that is paid for, a Level 5 NVQ, various professional courses all whilst being paid and with good opportunities to learn and have a career at the same time.

The programme is structured over 3 years which falls nicely in line with the University degree. The first year allows you to settle in to the work place and get used to University working, whilst the second and third years are more focused on developing professional and with your qualifications. Overall it's structured well.

With the NVQ I have an assessor who has been aligned to me in order to help me complete and mark my NVQ. University is slightly different and a more hands-off approach unless you ask for the support, although if you need it then it is definitely available.

Rolls-Royce are extremely accommodating of apprentices and you get time out for University as well as being offered help when you need it with your work/study balance.

The salary start for my course is fairly minimum, but each year it rises based on targets that I can hit and is adequate for living and commuting.

There is the Rolls-Royce Leisure Association which has an endless amount of clubs within it - football, rugby, cycling etc. There is also the AGA (apprentice and graduate association) which provides a lot of extra activities and opportunities outside of the work environment as well as helping new starters with things such as social activities and even helping find housemates and/or houseshares within the local area.

Yes

Vast company with great opportunities and a huge amount of learning that is provided within the apprenticeship - all whilst being paid.

Be confident and sure of the area that you want to go into, do your research and understand how Rolls-Royce works and can work for you and make sure your personality comes through in the application.