Packaging Technologist Review
at The Co-op
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Customer Service
Manchester
Review Submitted: April 2021
Overall Rating
4.3 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
3.8/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
I am a packaging technologist for a high street convenience retailer. I specify materials and work with suppliers to incorporate circular economy principles into our own label packaging materials, making packaging easy to recycle, including recycled content in it and reducing plastic usage and minimising carbon emissions. I also represent the company externally on industry forums.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
Very mush so. A lot of it is not directly relatable to my role, but it is stimulating to think about other issues outside of my day to day job. A challenge I have had is managing to complete all the readings on top of my workload. It is difficult to do this in works time.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I am only a few months into my apprenticeship, but I have learnt how to be a reflexive practitioner, considering how I behave, why I do certain things and how to consider my audience before speaking to the, I am learning to be a better politician and use the learnings from the course to influence stakeholders more effectively.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
Very structured. Each module is clearly organised into 8 topics with one topic of readings per week and a tutorial every fortnight. At the end of the readings there is a workshop and then a couple of weeks to write up the group work and reflective practice assignment for each topic.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
My employer has supported me to enter onto the programme and are covering the costs through the apprenticeship levy, so I am happy with that. It is difficult to fit some of the work in because I am expected to do my day job on to of the apprenticeship requirements, I have not been relieved of any duties to take account of my 20% off the job learning time.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
The tutors are on hand to answer emails and answer questions at the fortnightly tutorials. We also have an online discussion forum where we can discuss issues related to the topics. So I feel that I am well supported on the topics. I also have a practice based tutor that supports me with quarterly review meetings.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
The first module has taught me a lot about the organisation as a political arena, and how I can be more effective in managing stakeholders within that environment. The personal development plan exercise has also made me think about how I interact with stakeholders and to understand when aspects of my personality are appropriate to share or hide.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
During lockdown we have been doing online payday drinks and we have a team meeting every week which includes a wellbeing exercise. We have started doing walking meetings recently. There are lots of opportunities for professional networking through the IGD, BRC and my professional body the IOM3, which is supported by the Co-op.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend The Co-op to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I feel closely aligned to co-operative values and principles to co-operate for a fairer world. The co-op has supported me financially, emotionally and professionally to develop my career opportunities and my personal leadership style. I feel I belong at the Co-op and I can't imagine leaving. It's what we do.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to The Co-op?
Make sure you read the job description carefully and when you go to interview focus on examples that demonstrate how you did what you did as well as what you did and the business results. You will need to demonstrate that you can do what matters most, be yourself always, and champion our ways of being Co-op.
Undergraduate Ethics, Sustainability, and Food Policy Coordinator
at The Co-op
- Placement (10 Months+)
- Manchester
-
4.7
