Supply Chain Apprentice Review

I work in Supply Chain as a Planning Assisstant on an internal project. This role relies on working close with suppliers and other key stakeholders to support and maximise the benefit of internal business processes. As part of my role I have to work effectively and collaboaratively within a team to support a positive environment and to contribute towards achieving desired objectives.

I have learnt how to communicate effectively and professionaly with stakeholders, suppliers especially. As part of my role I have developed how to work flexibiliy, giving an adaptable apprach to work with good prioritaisation skills to effectively manage own workload. I have also gained good analytical skills and improved on my attention to detail in all my work.

I really enjoy my programme, purely because I finished full time eductaion (sixth form) last year and joining this programme meant that I could work full time but also keep the eductaion element with the use of the Apprenticeship. Attending weekly college lectures made it a much easier move from school to work because for 4 hours a week I can still learn 'in a classroom' as such. And then these learnings can be put into practice immediately in my job role.

As a whole, I feel extremley valued by Boots because I joined the programme as a 'Future Leader of the Business'. My manager, my team, my department and even just other colleagues across the business value that I have chosen to start a career with Boots and really take time to ensure I am happy in my role and support me with development opportunites.

The programme is well structured, and the specific Supply Chain element of the programme is extemley well structured. Within the first few weeks of joining, Inductions and Training sessions were offered and so many people within Supply helped me to settle into the big wide world of work. Activities and events have been organised by the programme leader to support our development and ways of working with Boots.

When attending college lectures every Thursday morning, that is the best time to gain direct support from our training provdier. However we can also email her with any questions or queries and she can usually help us that way. When submitting our assignments on a weekly basis, we don't always recieve as much support as I believe we should. In our BTEC units we should recieve feedback/amendments on our draft copy before we submit our final copy, but this doesn't always appear to happen.

Boots as a whole support Apprentices and myself well in the way that they are always availible for guidance, advice and just general support. My manager is extremley supportive in both my job role and my college work, and it is clear she is interested in my roles and keen to develop me further whenever there is opportunity to do so.

The salary meets my costs as I am currently living at home with just a car to run! However if I was living in my own home and having to pay lots of bills, I may struggle to live off this salary.

Boots are always taking part in different company events and activities and are always so keen in getting as many staff on board as possible.

Yes

It is a great place to work and start a career. The career and development opportunities are so visible and really give you motivation to drive for success. Employees within Boots work very closely together to provide excellent customer service.

There is firstly an online application process, and then if successful you will be asked to complete a telephone interview where you are asked a series of questions regarding situations you may find yourself in. And then if successful after that you will be invited to an assessment centre which involves one-to-one interviews, a presentation and a group task (may vary depending on which area you are applying for). This assessment day can seem very daunting but the interviewers are honestly just trying to get the best out of you.