IS Business Analyst Apprentice Review

My role is an IT Business Analyst in an IT team at Unilever. I'm supporting many projects across the team - some of which are long term. Most of my day is spent in meetings with my team on calls relating to these projects. Common day-to-day activities include performing user acceptance tests on new software releases and assisting in drafting new solutions and processes (i.e. new way for users to book meeting rooms)

A lot of the work is fairly technical and I've gathered an understanding of some IT systems and their tools. Furthermore, I've learnt skills relating to a BA's role in Unilever. Unfortunately I don't feel I've learnt in my work skills that relate to my course at all though as I'm doing a lot more of a testing / documenting role rather than the BCS official guidelines for a BA's role. Unilever encourages employees to do as much personal development and training opportunities as possible and there's many online courses on Degreed (eLearning tool) that can be evidenced on your 20% tracker and a couple internal opportunities, for instance by vendors such as Microsoft.

I enjoy coming to work, which is a positive compared to other apprenticeships and feel that Unilever has a great social culture with a lot of teams and apprentices being able to have social events together. I felt I'd of missed out on the social opportunities going to an apprenticeship rather than University so I'm glad that's not the case. Unilever is also flexible via encouraging working from home and is very supportive in relation to their employees' wellbeing. All members of my team are hugely supportive of my apprenticeship and aim to try get me involved as much as possible with their projects and out of my comfort zone.

ARCH (apprenticeship provider) didn't provide us with a coach till 3-4 months after we started and there was a lack of information about the whole course initially. Although since that, the coach has been very supportive assisting with their knowledge on the competencies and exams. Unilever side, I don't feel the whole apprenticeship program is structured very well. It took over 6 weeks from me attending an assessment day to finding out that I had an interview/received the offer. The first day was great being able to bring all apprentices together in London to meet each other, but after that I felt we were left on our own and put straight into our teams rather than having a more phased in approach. There was previously an on-site lead for apprentices on our site but since there hasn't been a replacement, there's a lack of information communicated about the programs and the exit-process in particular (i.e. could they get a contractor role, permanent role, another apprentice role after completion). Seen as there's a job freeze on our site and previous intake apprentices haven't received permanent roles, it's just assumed that you won't get a role at the end and managers unfortunately even if want to employ aren't able to. I'd of liked that to be more known when applying and information clearly laid to support us when we get nearer that time rather than leaving it to Manpower (employers for L3/L4 apprentices)

As a L4 apprentice I'm employed by Manpower on behalf of Unilever, whereas L6 apprentices are employed by Unilever directly. The HR team of Manpower is supportive and assisting and is the team responsible for booking holidays, tax codes and hotel and travel accommodation for business travel. We have chat's every few months but these can be increased depending on need for them.

For this particular program, the qualifications are sat in Manchester (if based in PSL) in 2-3 day block periods. After sitting the four sessions, you have an exit interview with the BCS going over your work projects and the course content learnt from the 4 sessions. Unilever allows learners to stay over the duration in Manchester and claim back any expenses which is very good to avoid travelling back and forth each day. There's 4 BCS training module sessions which we attend and have exams for, and other sessions relate to Agile which we also get qualifications but no exam. Be aware, the exams are difficult and ARCH' prep guides aren't the best so need to do some revision in the evenings prior to the exam. ARCH is fairly supportive in regards to the course and any issues such as rescheduling training dates.

I've not put any of the theory learnt in the course training dates to date in to practise, although I feel in other roles or in other companies it'll come in handy. The qualification is a well recognised BCS one and it gives a full overview of a BA's role.

We've had a couple times where all apprentices meet up in the London offices to speak to higher-ups and perform social team building relationships and these highlight the dedication Unilever has to provide apprentices with real life qualifications and prepare them for working life. You are put into one of three teams in Unilever as an apprentice (onboarding - supporting events like assessment days, digital - updating the social media etc & outreach - attending school fairs etc). These are good ways to get yourself involved in the apprenticeship community but I'd like to see people rotate around these teams throughout their apprenticeship. The company supports it's employees and hosts events such as Christmas nights out which are great fun. On site I believe there's a gym (no knowledge of location), some sport classes like pilates but none that I've attended so can't comment.

Yes

Even if you don't obtain a role at the end of the course, saying you've worked for Unilever, a FTSE 100 company on your CV is massive and you obtain lots of experiences that you can't get doing an apprenticeship at a smaller company. It's a very relaxed atmosphere and for the most part they aim to support apprentices as much as possible so they get as much out of it as they put in.

I believe the process has changed slightly for applying, as now there's a situational judgement test rather than an online video interview which sounds better! I'd recommend you research the company as much as possible, the social causes they provide (sustainable living plan etc) and tailor your CV as much as possible towards (obviously, don't lie!). They won't expect you as apprentices to have 10 years experience obviously so be prepared to just show as much enthusiasm as possible and that'll help you along the way. There's lots of experiences and opportunities available if you get the role and even if you don't, going through the application process will help you elsewhere. Good luck!