Finance Degree Apprentice Review

In my current role (we rotate roles every year) I am in the Manufacturing Consolidation team. This means that I look at the financials for all of our manufacturing plants. I am involved with budget, forecast, and actual reporting. I also have to business partner with lots of senior people in finance.

I have learnt lots of skills whilst on my apprenticeship. I now understand how to use a variety of technical systems used widely in large companies, such as Insight, SAP and Microsoft Office. I've also gain a lot of skills in excel, which has been vital for all of my roles. I have also learnt how to conduct myself in formal communications and meetings.

I have really enjoyed my apprenticeship so far. I have made lots of new friends and had the opportunity to move away from home. It has been hard work studying along side having a full time job, but I have been very supported throughout. Learning on the job has also given me lots of experience.

My programme consists of 2 half year placements and then year placemenst for the remainder of the time. We are given day release to go to college and study. We have regular meetings with a cohort lead where we can voice any issues with the scheme we may be having.

I have regular 1 to 1's with my manager to discuss a variety of topic, such as my performance, my work load, studying etc. I am also supported my a cohort leader who we meet with once a month, but I am also able to put in individual sessions whenever required.

There is support there if you need it. We are regularly contacted by the support team, although sometimes they can be quite late on in the studies. However, tutors are always happy to answer any extra questions you may have, in person or over email. BPP provide a lot of good resources, which I have found very useful.

I am often involved in month end activity which I can directly relate to my studies. However I've found that I understand a lot more finance jargon from my studies. This has been useful every day in my day to day work. Some roles are more suited toward using our qualification but there are definitely aspects that can be seen in each.

There are sports teams that you can be a part of. We also have a social networking committee which I am a part of which put on social events (such as sports day, Christmas quiz etc.) throughout the year. We are also given two days out of the office to help the local community as par of our CSR effort.

Yes

They are a very supportive company, in day to day work but also outside of work. We are giving money to learn a new skill each year. They are also a well known large company, which give you a lot of exposure on the apprenticeship. I've enjoyed my time here so far.

Make sure you do your research before hand - what is currently going on with the company, but also our wide product range. Most schemes will look at aptitude tests which you can practice online as you are unlikely to have seen tests like these. Make sure your passion comes across in your application.