Logistics Technician Review

I am a logistics apprentice who does placements in all relevant areas of the business. I have done 3 logistics based Placements and 2 Non-logistics based placements. Daily tasks vary depending on the department. For example, daily tasks when in physical logistics revolve around an improvement project. Whereas, when working in finance daily tasks revolved around budget planning.

I have learnt skills through my company funded NVQ L3 in Business Administration. This mainly helped improve my excel skills. This has proven very useful in my day to day activities. My personal skills have also improved during my apprenticeship. Communicating with colleague and getting a better understanding of their roles has become a lot easier for me as time has gone on.

Some placements are more enjoyable than others. The departments that are keen to get you involved and give you as much work as they can are very enjoyable. I leave the departments feeling as though I have gained a lot from my time there. The people I get to work with make the experience enjoyable.

I feel valued by the managers I have worked under during post placement interviews. The positive feedback I receive from them makes me feel as though I have contributed to the department and made the time I spent with them worthwhile. I also feel valued when this positive feedback and other factors result in a pay increase every six months.

My external study has been well organised and my courses are well structured. Initially my placement plan was not defined very well by the training team. However, a manager I will potentially work for after my apprenticeship is finished, took it upon himself to create a structured plan for me. This has ensured my time is best utilised.

Although the training team was not very good at planning my placements, whenever I am faced with an issue they are contactable and the problem is usually resolved. They have a positive attitude towards helping me and I feel I can go to them for guidance when it is needed.

The departments I do placements are in are usually very supportive. There has been the odd occasion when you don’t feel you are getting the most out of them that they could give but the majority of departments are keen to help. Most managers want to make sure you get as much out of the placement as you can as well as them getting work from you.

The starting salary is okay and is increased a fair amount every 6 months providing you meet a number of behavioural criteria. Some increases are around 20%. It would be quite difficult for a new starter if they were paying high living costs but I did not experience this issue.

The company offers a family fun day each year which makes you feel involved. There is also an annual camping weekend called “the mountain challenge” which I have attended and really enjoyed. You are encouraged to get to know colleagues better whilst working towards trying to win the hiking challenge.

Yes

The company offers incredible opportunities to learn and the benefits are very good.

Before apprentices come to site and start working, spend more time developing thought-out placement plans. This avoids apprentices being stuck in a particular place for longer than needed waiting for people to make decisions.