Commercial Apprentice Review

My role is based within Aviation Planning in the Commercial and Business Development area of the business. I work within a small team managing the flying programmes that we are operating, normally looking after 3 seasons at once. It is my responsibility to receive changes from senior managers and to action them into out internal system and communicate these with the relevant internal and external stakeholders.

I have learnt so many skills since starting at TUI, the main one being how to work within an office environment with a team of such varying ages. My communication skills have definitely improves, as has my confidence which has allowed me to progress in so many different skills, allowing me to complete my job and apprenticeship to a high standard.

I really enjoy the fact that I get to work a proper job and be treated like a normal member of the team, as well as studying and completing a qualification at the same time. The team are all super supportive of my apprenticeship and are always willing to go out of their way to help in any ways possible. The apprenticeship modules provides me with knowledge on business aspects that will help me in my future career.

My manager is extremely supportive of the apprenticeship scheme and we have both agreed that I work best having one day a week where I solely focus on completing my study. The apprenticeship itself isn't structured very well, there has been a change in systems and communication with the apprenticeship team isn't great. As long as you are okay with entirely independent study then it's okay, but if you need guidance then it probably isn't great.

My team are great at understanding the importance of the Apprenticeship and support all of the work and experience that I need to complete the qualification. I have bi-weekly meetings with my direct line manager to update her on my progress, so that she is up to date and so that she is able to help me find opportunities to collate evidence. I also had buddy meetings with a past apprentice, so that I had someone to talk to and know what I was going through, this was extremely helpful and put me at ease.

My assessor provides me with the tasks I need to complete and some resources that go alongside them. The resources aren't great and require a lot of googling to actually understand what they're talking about, however they are sometimes good starting points if the task isn't very specific on what actually needs to be done. I have monthly meetings with my assessor to have more units allocated to me

The tasks that I am currently completing aren't much use in my current role, however I can tell that they will definitely provide me with subject knowledge when I progress within my career. Learning about business is always going to be useful, no matter what job role you are in.

There are lots of activities to get involved in, there are sports teams if you're in to that kind of thing, there are also 'fizzy Fridays' that happen once a month where there are drinks in the office or everyone goes across to the local pub. TUI is a really sociable business to work for.

Yes

TUI is a great place to work with a super friendly workforce of people of all ages. There is always something going on and always something for you to get involved with, both work and social wise. They are super supportive of all your needs, both in work life and personal life.

Make sure you be yourself on the application, as that is something that TUI looks at most, they want to make sure that you fit in with everyone else that works here. Be honest about yourself and previous work experience/jobs and make sure you get across anything cool/interesting that you've done!