Laboratory Science Apprentice Review

I am in the lab 3 days a week, formulating, conducting tests and problem solving. Each day is different.

I have improved my communication and time management skills as well as developed lots of new skills in the lab.

I really enjoy it! I think it is really cool to be working in a company where I can go to the shops and see so many of our products including ones I have worked on myself. The work, life and uni balance also really suits me. I go to university socials during our residential weeks, work team socials and Unilever Port Sunlight R&D apprentice socials too.

There is a good structure with lots of room for working flexibly and independently for both work and study. I have one study day week. 3 days working in the lab and 1 day working from home. The university provides weekly lectures, questions and tasks which I can do anytime. They also provide live webinars so I still get face to face time with lecturers even though it is a distance learning programme.

I feel very supported in my role. I attend our weekly team meetings where I can ask questions, and increase or decrease my lab/ desk work to do with how busy I am with my study. I also have regular 1:1 meetings with my manager to discuss anything I might need. There is also a really nice apprentice community on site who are in different years who I can ask questions to.

The university study is distance learning so I get weekly lectures, questions and tasks to do on my study day. They also have weekly live webinars to have face to face time with the lecturers. I have regular reviews with myself, my line manager and my skills coach from the university to ensure I feel supported and am developing my skills.

My degree links nicely with my role. For example I might do a specific module which is very close to what I am working on in work. I also do more specific skills or development modules which are important for my role or interviews which I can then further develop in work.

Yes, I am in the work choir and there are also many social events on. I go to socials with the other apprentices. I go on team socials. There are also team building days which I really enjoy.

Yes

There are lots of opportunities to work in many different fields all over the world. It is exciting and every day is different. The people are all very nice and welcoming and are genuinely interested in my development. Unilever sells many different types of products and I love going to the shops and seeing products I was involved in launching.

Be yourself. They want to see how you work in a team.