Rotational Business Adminstration Apprentice Review

I'm a rotational apprentice at AO.com which means I have the opportunity to work in every department that makes up the company over an 18 month apprenticeship - meaning I'm constantly learning new things and developing myself. It's also a great opportunity and eye-opener to see how a business operates, seeing how each department effects another. The goal after the apprenticeship is to utilise all the skills and knowledge learnt throughout the experience to catapult into a management role. This type of apprenticeship is something I have never seen advertised and shows that the company are willing to invest a lot into you, and shows you can go into bigger roles once the apprenticeship is completed.

I am constantly learning new skills and developing myself due to the rotation. Additionally to this, I'm undergoing a level 4 Business Admin qualification so I'm learning key business skills from the qualification. I'm also developing myself due to completing the DofE Gold Award (which AO put you through) - growing my confidence and my teambuilding skills.

I enjoy the rotational programme, as it gives me the opportunity to meet a variety of different people in the company - something I wouldn't be doing if I was just subjected to one individual department. I also enjoy the fact I get to experience all these different types of job roles as it helps me to think about where I think I'd best fit in the future and about the job role I could see myself doing as a career. The culture at AO is great, it's very laid back but the people who work here work very hard: it's a work hard play harder type environment. The best thing about the apprenticeship is definitely the people, the majority of the people who work here are so friendly, willing to help when you have any issues and genuinely just want the best for you.

For me, it varies depending on what department I'm in and what projects I'm set to work on. For example, in a few departments I've felt very valued as I've been set important projects that have actually resulted in business changes; and when this happens it gives you a really great feeling. I do however, always feel appreciated in every department I've been in so far as I'm always getting good feedback from my managers, even throughout my time within a department. What's nice is your managers will tell you small comments such as "well done, you've done good today" and it does make a massive difference to how you feel.

Overall, the apprenticeship is pretty well organised. There are occasions where things get moved around and things change, but I would say that would be expected as this is a new type of apprenticeship that AO are offering.

We get a lot of support off our training provider, our tutor is always available to email if you have any questions or problems and she goes through all the assignments with you before you start them. She comes to our workplace regularly for meetings and for observations, so I feel like I'm very supported by the training provider for the apprenticeship

You do receive quite a lot of support at AO - when you're completing projects you're not spoon-fed the answers to the project but at the same time you're not completely abandoned either. You're given the free rein to complete the project yourself but have the support there behind you to get help from your managers instantly if you need it.

AO offers a much higher rate than the standard apprenticeship wage, which I think reflects how the company views apprentices. However I do struggle each month with money - but I do have a lot of things I have to pay for outside of work so that might not be the same for the rest of the apprentices. But realistically, you can't be expecting to be paid loads if you're on an apprenticeship.

Yes, AO are constantly running events and engagements outside of work. They run company events such as parties etc. but also allow you to get involved in things such as recruitment events, volunteering events like sleep out Manchester etc. You're also allowed a paid day off to do fundraising a year. AO also offer things to get involved in such as the 3 peaks challenges, tough mudder etc.

Yes

Because overall, the company is a good place to work and does have a really good working culture. The company is also so large that there is always opportunity to move around the business if you feel like you need a change of job role etc.

To just be yourself, AO look at personal qualities more than qualifications (which are important) as they want you to fit their values of caring, bold, smart, driven and fun.