Supply Chain Business Degree Apprentice (HBA) Review

As a Supply Chain Business Degree Apprentice (formerly known as Higher Business Apprentice) you will rotate around a different department every 6 months. The rotations include departments such as sourcing, planning, materials, operations and quality. There are also lots of opportunities to develop outside of your role including enrichments such as marketing.

As apprentices rotate 6 monthly for the first 3 years, I have developed new skills constantly. Each role requires new skills to be developed such as supplier management. The scheme also gives you the opportunity to develop skills in areas such as communication and stakeholder management. The partnership with Coventry University also provides academic development.

The scheme is brilliant for people looking to try out different departments. Coming from A-Levels I knew that I wanted to go into business but was unsure which area. The rotations mean that I can discover different parts of the business and decide where I'd like to develop moving forward.

The rotational structure is well organised, with apprentices moving departments 6 monthly for the first three years. In the fourth year apprentices interview for a year long placement allowing them to focus in on one area. This allows apprentices to network throughout the business and form bonds that they can use going forwards.

GE Aerospace have a wide range of support available to apprentices. You will usually have monthly reviews with your rotation manager to discuss your progress along with quarterly meetings with the apprentice manager. There is also support available from external resources that GE provide to employees. Along with these options there is a strong apprentice community providing support.

Coventry University on the whole provide good support. The lectures are delivered at GE between a handful of lecturers. It's an individual approach with small cohort sizes (~10) meaning they have time to discuss issues. There are wider resources available for support through Coventry University directly if needed.

The course is tailored to the role we perform at GE. Covering topics such as management, leadership, finance, marketing, decision making and more the course directly transfers to our daily roles. The scheme also helps to prepare us for when we role off the apprenticeship by focusing on people management.

The apprenticeship has enrichment teams that focus on different areas (marketing, volunteering, social and professional events etc). As part of this the social team organise regular events. We also spend at least 8 hours a year each volunteering in the community. We also organise best practice visits to other sites and businesses.

Yes

The scheme is well organised, allowing for structured development of apprentices. The compensation is competitive and a good benefits package is provided. GE also has a very strong reputation globally and is renowned for its development schemes. The apprentice community is strong and with a large early careers network on site there are lots of opportunities.

Prepare for the application process. Apprenticeship schemes are very competitive when applying and by preparing you'll put yourself in good stead. Research the business, what we do and what the site specifically does. The apprenticeship scheme is a great development opportunity and provides a good foundation to build your career m