Degree Apprentice Review

Lignify Limited is a bespoke joinery manufacturing company and therefore I work in all business functions exploring and experiencing varying job roles throughout the company. This means from following a customer’s enquiry all the way to a finished project including creating relevant health and safety forms, purchasing materials, inputting costs, training to create cad drawings for production and site visits ensuring measurements are correct to take back to the office to progress onto the manufacturing stages.

All activities I do on a daily basis have been newly learnt because I came straight from college, with an apprenticeship it allows me to develop my academic skills through university which enables me to complete a degree but also putting all that theory into action to see how the business operates to ensure business development and progression. Mastering software such as DeltaCad, excel, online accounting software has progressed throughout my first year, starting training on pricing and estimating product costing. Other skills learnt is the importance of project planning, risk assessments, budgeting, controlling variables and self-development techniques such as reflective writing, time management and how to meet a deadline.

Enjoy the wide variety of individuals in my cohort at university, all from different companies bringing different experiences and views which aid discussions to concrete knowledge but also to stretch ideas on certain topics. Additionally, the wide variety of ages that offer a help in hand when struggling and share their advise on ways to tackle certain business areas. I also enjoy the diversity of what my job role brings developing every skills every day and fascinated over the manufacturing process it takes to create beautiful hand crafted bespoke furniture.

My programme is very well structured with a plan of every module and when we are supposed to complete it by over the 4 years, granted certain aspects may change but the overall planning is super. The response to the Covid epidemic was amazing, straight away all classes were taught online via Microsoft teams trying to allow team collaboration and discussion to occur as we carried on with the rest of the modules and ensure the level of teaching quality didn’t decrease due to the lack of face to face lectures. Additionally, help is always available with wellbeing check ins and always being approachable, understanding and interested in both my personal life and my professional career.

Massive amounts of help are available especially when it comes to giving me time to complete my assignment this also includes the collection of evidence from the business. Before Covid I had started travelling to site more and I hope this will increase again as lockdown eases and is safe for me to do so. This also includes accompanying senior staff to customers and suppliers to extend my knowledge of the business and confidence as I speak to new people.

Tonnes of support again, including links websites such as Manchester University Word Bank and career edge assessments which enables us to develop personally and our academic writing techniques. Additionally, our training providers are always at the end of a phone or email away to help with any queries or concerns. Support also stretches to my employers as site visits are compulsory to check our development by also the health of the business as the main aim for apprenticeships is to develop individuals and the company they work for.

As previously mentioned, this allowed me to research academic theory throughout my course and to take that back to develop my company. Due to being a SME, certain aspect would not work on a company of that size however you learn how to adapt and tailor it to fit. As I progress throughout my course, this will increase. This also comes from the quality of lecturers and mentors, all coming from a business background they are all practical in their approach and therefore can relate to problems we may be experiencing at work.

Social networking events are increasing due to schemes available via Lancashire County Council which we have taken advantage of during the past couple of months to ensure progression and resurgence post Covid.

Yes

Small business offer a greater level of employee care and recognition but it also has a lot of areas to improve and with help with apprentices, bring new business techniques and approaches offers a great advantage and I believe could grow this business to become a power house.

Be open to oppourtunites and bring ideas forward.