Commercial Apprentice Review

Working with internal teams such as marketing and finance, and external stakeholders such as manufacturers and suppliers to ensure the smooth operation of the business. Daily tasks include, but are not limited to sales reporting, working with our suppliers, attending meetings and ad hoc tasks. Weekly responsibilities relate to updating

Currently working towards a CIPS Level 4 Diploma in Procurement and Supply. The role has helped to develop Excel proficiency, improve relationship management skills, project management and prioritisation skills. Have also completed externally delivered self-development workshops, the first being Growth Mind-set, with further workshops scheduled for the reminder of the apprenticeship.

Very much so. I am learning a lot and my team has been very supportive and helpful towards my development. I have developed a lot as a person in the time that I have been doing this apprenticeship and am excited to see how this experience shapes my future career.

External training is well-delivered by the training provider. There is a lot of content to cover but we manage to cover all of it in our day-release workshops. The way in which we cover the content is systematic and the rate at which we cover it ensures plenty of time for revision.

My line manager is great, if I have any questions then I can ask them with no issues. They also ask me a lot of questions to make sure I'm understanding everything around the business. In terms of guidance, they are happy to guide me in the right direction.

More support would be beneficial. Unfortunately, due to illness we have had a substitute tutor who is very knowledgeable, but as they teach other classes they are not as easily accessible for support outside of our workshops. If the tutor was more easily accessible outside of the workshops, then a higher rating would have been given.

There is overlap, but the first module of our course we completed was more based on theories and concepts rather than transferable skills. These theories and concepts are still useful, especially if you have no experience of this sort of line of work - which not many new apprentices will have.

There are lots of supplier-funded events which are designed to get everyone at the office working better together. These tend to happen at least once a month, but apart from that there are opportunities to go and interact outside of work, for example work drinks that take place on Thursday's after work.

Yes

It's a large company with lots of different areas for people to explore and develop. The head office is a great space to work in, and the people are great. There are lots of opportunities to get hands on with exciting new technology and experience first-hand the process of it going to market.

Keep an eye out for apprentice vacancies, and apply as soon as you can, they often close before the advertised end date. After you apply and are shortlisted there are online assessments, followed by a telephone interview if you pass the tests. If you are successful in the telephone interview, they will invite you to a group interview.