Supply Chain Apprentice Review

My role is to help manage the supply chain for the new nuclear power station being built by EDF Energy. On a day to day basis I go to meetings with my team and contractors and work at a desk using systems such as Sap, CEMAR, Excel, EPFM and D2. I am based in Bridgewater House offices in Bristol City centre and sometimes get to go the construction site on visits and for meetings. We also have opportunities to travel to Paris and London for various events/meetings.

2. Working around professionals on a day to day basis has allowed my confidence and communication skills to develop a lot. I have learnt how to use computer systems such as SAP, CEMAR and EPFM as well as developing my Excel Skills. The management of the supply chain for a very large project like this one requires lots of knowledge and skills as it is very complicated and many different aspects are involved. I look forward to gaining much more knowledge on this process over the next few years of the programme. We get to attend many internal training courses as well as gaining lots of knowledge through the construction and built environment HNC we are working towards.

3. I enjoy going to college to study and work towards are HNC. As there was a group of 12 apprentices enrolled on the programme at the same time as me it makes being in the office more enjoyable as we have developed good friendships and get to spend lunch breaks together. It is also great as we can help each other out on work and college related issues that any of us have. I also enjoy it when we get to go to different events outside of the office. The team I am currently working with are very nice making each day more enjoyable. However, I do wish we had more chances to attend different events.

I feel EDF do value there apprentices and the other employees in the office are always willing to help us out and answer any questions we may have. I do feel I could be more involved in the tasks on a day to day basis but this will come as I gain more experience and skills and take on more responsibility.

We rotate round different departments on a 6 monthly basis to allow us to gain new skills and experience different aspects of work involved in the business. This is great, however there is no plan of our rotations and what we should be learning in each team. I am not aware of the next team I am going to be working in and the skills I should be concentrating on gaining. I feel it is just winged a bit and it would be more beneficial to us if there was a better plan of our rotations and be aware of what skills we should be learning to help us in the future.

The college we attend is not very organised and we have had many teachers leave, meaning we have had to move from block release to day release, leaving us with less contact time with the college and less time to complete assignments. The assignments we have to complete are very broad with new word count meaning we end up writing a stupid amount of words because we don’t know what is important to include. No support is given back from the college when we ask them. I hope when we move to UWE in the 3rd year it will be much more organised.

HR do not have much time to deal with are problems as apprentices. My manager is very willing to answer questions and take time to help me with work whether it’s for my assignment or to help me with other work. My mentor is very approachable and I feel I could go find her if I has an issue. I also have a buddy from the upper year apprentices doing the same programme as me to help me out. She is very helpful if I have any questions about work and college.

Our salary is great for are first year of the scheme and I’m sure it will increase as we gain more skills and become more useful to the company. We get a travel allowance to help with travel costs however it is very expensive for me to get to the office as parking in Bristol is a lot. I am lucky as I still live with parents at the moment but I know the others who have to rent places to live in Bristol struggle.

There are many social events organised for us to attend outside of work. As well as many volunteering events taking place that we can get involved in.

Yes

EDF have given me a great opportunity to gain a degree qualification whilst working and earning money. I am gaining loads of work experience putting me ahead of people who just go to university. I have met many new people and close friends from starting the scheme.

Do lots of research on supply chain management, the power station itself including the stages they are currently at. Be yourself on the assessment day and contribute to the team activities. The staff at the assessment centre are all lovely so you can relax once you are there!