Contract Management Specialist Review

I started my apprenticeship at Canon in the Contract Management department. My job title is Contract Management Specialist and role is very business admin based and I work using many different programs such as Oracle, Therefore, Lotus Notes and Microsoft Office. Some of my day to day tasks include: - Authoring which is activating contracts - QMS which are our queries from external/internal customers - Terminating contracts - Calling customers - Lease checks for our internally leased printers - Billing holds which are contracts that are stuck on billing and we need to fix. I also collaborate with other teams/departments daily as different teams specialise in different areas and therefore have better understanding and knowledge.

Since I started working I have picked up many new skills but also improved on skills I already had. My job role requires me to be organised as we have so many tasks to do in a week and therefore I have had to work on time management in order to get things done within SLA. Being in a team has allowed me to gain better teamworking skills but also has made me more confident in my role as we all learn from each other and share our knowledge and skills. With regards to my apprenticeship this improved my customer service as the course highlighted better ways in which to approach customers, this being internal and external customers.

My program was enjoyable as I have made great relationships with colleagues in my own team but also other departments, it overall has made me feel more confident. Canon have been very supportive with regards to time being allowed during the working day to do the coursework which has been appreciated and made the course less stressful. The apprenticeship was a great start to my career.

Canon have been extremely supportive throughout this whole apprenticeship, they have allowed us time in the working day for coursework and time to be taken to meet our assessor when she would visit. There have been workshops which we have been able to attend. We have also had interviews and our pictures on social media giving us recognition for the apprenticeship which made me feel valued as they were showing our opinion to everyone. I was also made permanent half way through my apprenticeship which also meant I received a pay rise!

The course was relatively structured we would be given one or two units to complete every time we met with our assessor. This was good as it wasn't such a huge amount to work on which made it less stressful. However there were times when the job role was more demanding as we have been very busy and it was hard to find in the work day to do the coursework when I was more keen on doing the job role. I also liked how quite a few of the units related to my job as it made it more interesting to use examples.

Throughout the apprenticeship the training provider was great, my assessor would come to see me every month and give me feedback on the work I had done but she would also ask me about personal things as well as work related so it was nice to build this relationship. If I couldn't complete a task on time for any reason she would allow me to email it to her in the next few days etc. I also had her phone number and email address and if I ever had any problems she would reply quickly.

Canon have been great as I've mentioned above they allowed us to work during the day on coursework but also if I ever needed support my team leader would happily get involved. At the beginning there was a Customer Feedback group which I was asked to join as my team leader thought it would be beneficial for the apprenticeship.

Canon's Apprenticeship salary was great and it allowed me to cover all my costs easily. Compared to other companies with similar job roles Canon's is definitely higher. You also get benefits and access to the Canon store in which you can get discounts.

Since working at Canon there have been many social events which everyone is invited to. Canon have a great social atmosphere and everyone is very welcoming. I have also had the opportunity to go to the London Office to have a look at all Canon's big printers. There was also a Canon Campus day where all colleagues at Canon could come to our Office and it was a day of activities and learning more about the business. Canon also have opportunities for colleagues to do set external courses in which give us qualifications. This is great for our development.

Yes

Canon is a great company to work for, it looks great on your CV but also the experience I have gained and relationship I've made will last forever. Canon also is great for allowing you to move around the business as they support your career development.

I would always recommend researching the company and make sure you have background knowledge. As Canon was founded in China their culture and background is important to them. Also what I have found is everyone is nice and helpful so a great personality would also help. The majority of interviews are grouped to begin with and I would recommend trying to make yourself stand out here as you want the Management to remember you. It’s also useful to know about the job role you are applying to and give examples of how and why you would be better suited than any other candidate.