Commercial Change Assistant Review

My role is a Commercial Change Assistant. I handle customer requests and work with the teams on the Account to progress a proposal through the correct process through to submission back to the customer. Key tasks of mine include: handling customer queries, providing administrative support (and sometimes chairing) our internal change boards, reading through commercial documents to make sure the Account is covered appropriately and reporting.

I have improved my Excel skills massively in my time here, through all the reporting that I do on a regular basis. My confidence has also grown massively, through chairing our internal change boards which are held with Senior Management on the Account. My ability to prioritise my work and manage my time has also been a skill that has improved since starting in my role.

I thoroughly enjoy my programme. I enjoy the course that I am doing (Business Administration) and have chosen the appropriate units so that they are tied in with the work that I do and are all relevant. I do not have any days at college, but instead have monthly calls with my training provider to discuss where I am at with my work, any queries that I have, and also set my next load of tasks. I find this much more relaxed and means I can get my work done at my own pace through the month.

Apprentices at Fujitsu are given revenue earning roles, this means that we are not just photocopying! I work in a customer facing role, progressing proposals that are going to be making the company money – so it’s an important role! I think that because Apprentices are trusted in roles like this I feel very valued. We have lots of opportunities within the company and I am encouraged by my managers to attend these and make the most of these opportunities whilst I am on the Apprentice scheme. I often get positive feedback from the customer, as well as my managers.

I think the programme is well organised. We have lots of Apprentice events going on which is run by the Apprentice Academy Board, and also have a number of Apprentice Ambassadors who work to organise and help run these events, examples being the introduction call with the Ambassadors when you start at the company and the Annual Apprentice Forum. We receive regular emails on what is going on within the company that we can get involved with! I think my course is well structured too, I have a reasonable amount of work set to me each month which I am able to complete in plenty of time.

I have monthly meetings with my training provider, where she will run through the next unit that I am to work on until our next meeting. We will usually communicate via email and tries to visit me on site every month, however sometimes this is instead done over the phone.

My assignment manager is very supportive of me. Often, I will take a day to work from home and focus on my coursework, which he fully encourages. Any problems that I have related to my Apprenticeship I can go to one of the Apprentice Ambassadors or the Apprentice Academy Board, who are all there to provide us with support. I find that given my role, not many people that I work with on a day to day basis know that I am an Apprentice - some are shocked when they find out! But everyone I work with supports me where required.

My salary meets my costs well so far. I am living at home, and am within walking distance of the office so I don't spend any money on travel costs to get into the office. I do find that sometimes it can be difficult to save some months based on what I am doing socially, and I do feel that if I was living in my own place then I would be struggling.

At my office, there is a club which often holds Quiz Nights and other activities. They are also in the process of installing a gym in the office! We are encouraged to volunteer and are allowed to have one full day of this per year to do. There are a number of fundraisers held throughout the year to support our charity partner and I find there is always something going on around the office. We have lots of courses made available to us at Fujitsu and are encourage to make full use of this. Our office is based next to the town centre, so there's lots going on nearby too!

Yes

I think it's a brilliant company to work for - it looks good on your CV, you have an opportunity to build up a large network, and there's lots of role and training opportunities. For an Apprentice, the pay is good and you are also put into a 'proper' role where you are respected.

I would suggest to people who want to apply to Fujitsu, just apply! I don't know what role I want to be in, but I started here and I am consistently being told about new role opportunities that I can move into if I wanted. Build up your network whilst you're here and you can move into any role you want - so don't necessarily worry about what role you start off in. Take advantage of as many opportunities as you can whilst you're here, and ask about these in your interview!