Process Chemistry Apprentice Review

I work in the process chemistry department , where I do small scale reproductions of plant products in the lab. I have been working on the transfer of new products to the site, and in product profitability, e.g. using cheaper raw materials to bring the production cost of a product down.

Recently, a new intern started in our department, so I have been training her, developing my commmunication skills. Through training both in the workplace and at uni I have developed skills in process safety, fire awareness, including hands on fire extinguisher training, plus laboratory techniques and processes such as using different analytical equipment such as HPLCs.

I enjoy my programme. I recieve a lot of support from the workplace and as my degree is mainly through distance learning I enjoy the flexible nature of this. I also enjoy the residential periods at uni as well, as it gives us chance to ask questions face to face, and meet others on the same apprenticeship degree.

The programme is very well structured. At the workplace we have a dedicated apprentice and intern programme coordinator, who knows all about the workplace aspects and requiements of the apprenticeship, and the university has been running our degree apprenticeship course for years, so a good structure has been put into place, and has been proven effective.

At the workplace, our employer provides us with a dedicated apprentice and intern programme coordinator, who gives plenty of support such as regular 1 to 1s, and communicating with the training provider, as well as planning regular development days, usually structured towards helping to complete an aspect of our apprenticeship or college/university assignments.

We recieve lots of support from our training provider. For example we have 3 reviews a year with a skills coach, who talks to our mentor at work, and sets targets designed to move us forward with both the degree qualification and with the apprenticeship behaviours and skills. Although the degree is mainly through distance learning watching lecture capture, our tutors provide regular webinars and support materials to assist with our learning, plus we have residentials at uni where we can use the labs, complete coursework, and recieve lectures in person.

I feel the qualification helps me to perform better in my role as the skills and behaviours, such as commication and teamwork, and writing skills, help in my day to day role at work, for example in meetings and report writing. The knowledge aspect of my qualifaction helps to back up the chemistry behind what I'm doing in the lab.

There is a sports and social club at work, where members can get discouted tickets to plays, days out, and experiences. They also hold group trips, for example every year a trip to york races is run, where people get on the coach at work and all travel down together. The sports and social club also have a 5 a side football team.

Yes

I would recommend Solenis to a friend as the people here are great, plus there are lots of opportunities to progress within the company, both job wise, and qualificationwise. They offer competetive salaries, plus fully support you throughout the apprenticeship, and try their best to place you in a permanent job role once completed.

I would say to apply to any of the apprenticeships which interest you, as once within solenis, they are perfectly happy for you to learn other roles further down the line, and can help by provide training for you, meaning you can develop a variety of skill sets while here.