Business Degree Apprentice Review

This role involves a rotational element across a fast paced supply chain. Roles can range from sourcing to planning to quality or operations. It involves us attending meetings with managers and wider teams, contributing ideas and plans to strategic business decisions and using our skillset to contribute positively to the business

One new skill I have used is communication. Being in so many meetings with top level managers has meant that I have had to communicate my ideas over in a way that includes everyone in the meeting as well as displaying my knowledge of the topic. This has meant I have grown in the ways I am abler to communicate to others what I want them to understand.

I really enjoy my program. Within work, it has offered lots of opportunities to meet new people as well as allowing me to work out what role I may want to go into when I graduate. I have also enjoyed the social element whilst bonding with the other apprentices which has been really good,

The apprenticeship is well organized with clear paths of progression for each apprentice, regardless of the role that they want to go into. The onboarding process is probably the biggest hassle which can be long and frustrating but once past that part you will see that everything is well set up through years of experience.

We receive a lot of support from our employer. Not only do they provide the financial aid for us to be able to go and complete our degree, they also offer us many facilities and systems that we can use to get our work done and to relax. This includes study rooms, laptops, apprentice rooms, gyms, etc

Our training provider is really good at offering support. She visits us once a week on our site and talks us through the content and what our assignments are going to be. She is also always available online for us to message her with any queries or questions that we may have.

The qualification definitely helps me perform better in my role. The skills I have learnt so far include communication and group tasks, both of which I have taken straight into my role when I have organized and managed meetings and projects. We also looked at different management styles which has helped me adapt my own style to what I think will be most successful.

At work we have set up a 5-a-side football session which happens every Wednesday. This is good as it has allowed us all to get to know each other outside of work whilst giving us all the chance to do some exercise. I find these sessions help to strengthen my relationship with my peers in work too.

Yes

I would recommend GE to others mainly due to the structure of the scheme. I believe that the rotational element works perfectly to give me a well rounded skillset as well as giving me insight into the role that I will want to do once I have graduated at the end of the scheme.

I think the biggest tip would be to be confident when attempting to join. GE need people who are willing to challenge other people's thinking in order to reach the best processes and the best results. Therefore, new people need to feel able and empowered to challange the existing processes so if you can do this you will manage fine.