Technical Operator Review

On my apprenticeship programme day to day my role is work on improvement projects. That involve gathering information and base on that finding best effective solution to the problem. We look at : Quality, Cost, Delivery Measures and Data Analysis; 5S Workplace Organisation; 8 Wastes; Implementation and Standardise the Work; Visual Management; Practical Problem Solving. On normal working days primarily responsible for accurately following our recipes to prepare our raw ingredients for processing and must perform duties with employee safety and food safety and quality in mind. This includes following all safety, housekeeping, GMP's, and other policies and procedures. Batching are required high level of accuracy.

I have learnt the concept of “lean” when it comes to an organisation, what means maximising the value offered to customers while at the same time removing anything that is part of the processes that takes away from such value or simply it adds no benefit to what the organisation offers to its clients. Anything that doesn’t add value is considered waste and the purpose of lean production is to remove waste in whichever form it presents itself.

I have enjoyed the workshops the way had been presented. The tutor was easy to approach, the folder and the course structure is well organised. The teacher enthusiasm and optimistic attitude was always on time. Provided information have hit the main points of improving processes. I am confident that I firmly understand principles of “lean” organisation. Greats notes, quizzes, online assignments are very helpful for deeper understanding of programme. What I haven’t enjoyed that the test started a bit too late in the course timeline and were hard. Some project had been stalemating for the months, but that down to other people and companies as been involved. Some topic difficult understand, not necessarily of how he described but down to the topic. I would like to be involved as member in any professional real project, not only in our own created project.

The course structure is well organised. I like the way programme was organised. First workshops, then project work. Could be done all workshops at the beginning instead to leaving some like autonomous maintenance to the end as would improve projects work. The teacher enjoyed teaching this course. Lectures well presented. Speaks clearly. Subjects matter to everyday of business. Many things to learn.

I have received enough support from my employer to finish the apprenticeship. It could be bigger support. Sometimes feeling was that it just another tick box exercise. Maybe that was lesion from them how real word work. You must to keep asking and asking for same thing. Personally think could be better.

I have received good support from my training provider. They were so helpful and really pushed us to right direction when we were stalemating. Personally, think without they support we wouldn’t be able to do as much as we done. I pushed few ideas through apprenticeship programme. Very good training.

I can only say that programme gave me required skills to put ideas into project and taught how to push them through big organisation bureaucracy. Very valuable skills for manufacturing environment as you can make difference in your workplace day after day. In my opinion everybody should be teach that the skills who work in manufacturing environment.

Lots of other activities are in our company. We have social club where you can get involve in sport teams like football, golf. Lots of charities events as well where you can participate. BBQ event takes once a year on summer. We have strategy day what design is for team building. People are friendly. They make friends and organise some activities themselves.

Yes

Premier Foods is a very large food manufacturing company. The company has a great culture for quality, health and safety and engages well with it's workforce. People are very helpful and the atmosphere is a good one with everyone helping each other. Salary and benefits is very good as well.

You will have a well-informed introduction about health and safety, fire exits and the work placements restrictions and procedures from management who will make you feel comfortable. Sometimes you probably going need to work long hours and extra days before Christmas. Management can be confusing but overall not bad. Don’t forget that workplace is only for work and don’t get involved in politics as can be exhausting and pointless.