Digital & Technology Solutions Review

by AstraZeneca

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

10/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

My apprenticeship has rotations, currently being in Digital Transformation. I work on projects, manage my time and build on my communications, business analyst, and project delivery skills. There are a wide variety of projects I get involved in and my manager has been amazing in making sure I get involved in gaining as wide experience as possible.

10/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

I have worked heavily on improving my communications skills. But I have learnt Project Management and Delivery, Software Development. I have also been allowed to work on my Visual Design skills, it is not a requirement in my area however my manager has found opportunities to. Also working on the internal training pathways, as well as doing LinkedIn Learnings for Project Management.

10/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

I love my Job, I am gaining a qualification along side working full time. The programme is ran in a way where you can connect with other apprentices as well, There is a Committee and Social Society to join and get involved with, these jointly run events to meet apprentices you otherwise wouldn't meet day-to-day. My role is exciting and diverse, I can be doing one thing and then the next week be doing something completely different and I enjoy this.

10/10

4. How well organised/structured is your programme?

I would say very organised. There is a Programme Manager to oversee each cohort for IT specifically, There is then a "Buddy" assigned to you who is an apprentice in the year above to help you along the way. And a mentor who just finished the programme, All of these are super useful to have and friendly people. The University also give you a week by week programme for the next year of your course.

10/10

5. How much support do you receive from your employer?

As much support as you need, there is so much of it there if you need it.

10/10

6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

We are given 20% of our working time to work on our qualifications, so that ends up being a day per week to do university, this is managed and logged by the university and we do bi-monthly reviews to make sure we are still on track, with your manager, mentor and university success manager

10/10

7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

The university course links very closely to my day to day job, essays are required to be contextualised to your job role in order to get higher grades, So it makes me think and apply what I learn at university to my workplace and role. As well as workplace tasks that occur weekly.

10/10

8. Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)

There are many different Employee Resource Groups to join, There is an apprentice social society to join, they run different types of events from coffee mornings to group trips.

10/10

9a. Would you recommend AstraZeneca to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

I think it is a great place to work that genuinely cares about me as a person. I think anyone wanting to join here would get an amazing experience.

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to AstraZeneca?

Researching into a course that will suit you, there are lots of different roles on offer, not just in science.