Formulation Apprentice Review

Formulation Apprentice, making formulations in the lab, writing reports and contributing to the strategy being a team player helping to land the new products into market.

I will soon have a BSc in Chemistry, been on some internal training courses to help with my professional development. And also it has helped develop my presentation and report writing skills.

The program has been a mixed experience both good and bad. The team are a strong team and some of who support each other. The culture is great and the values. I had no expectations, I have enjoyed some of it.

I do not feel that valued by Unilever. I do feel valued by my close colleagues and manager. I don't get much recognition and have not been given many important tasks.

The degree is a fixed reasonably well organised course. The support, training and support has been varied depending on the team I have been in. Some of which was well structured but other bits that were poor. I felt the hierarchy and that I was given lots of the tasks no-one else wanted to do. The organisation could have been better with a more fixed structure with clear objectives.

Almost no support, have barely spoken to them and don't even know who to contact anymore. From the University itself the support has increased after we complained, so this is now ok.

From my manager and close colleagues I receive as much support as I require, from others though I struggle. I feel I am forgotten about sometimes.

The salary was quite difficult to live from if not living with my parents, the canteen is also expensive which doesn't help but I have managed as the pay increased each year.

There aren't that many opportunities outside of work except free gym membership and they are not starting some volunteering initiatives. I have to look for opportunities myself.

Yes

Overall it is a great company with great values. There is some support there. If you impress the right people your career will fly, but this is also a disadvantage.

Learn the brands and values, focus on team orientation with a small amount of technical knowledge. I would say join teams where you get noticed and do extra tasks at work to impress management.