Chemical Engineering Degree Apprentice Review
at Unilever
Degree Apprenticeship
Engineering
Port Sunlight
Review Submitted: May 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!
4.5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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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
Currently, I work with Homecare in making capsules, and solving the issue of capsules sticking together after being made in the Port Sunlight factory, which has led to numerous complaints across unilever, as well as some injuries to consumers who have tried to pull apart capsules which are stuck together
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
At the moment, it's one of the best parts of my life, for my age I feel extremely accomplished, and proud to be at Unilever. For the current rotation I have never been more mentally challenged and pushed in order to deliver the project. I think I couldn't enjoy it anymore than I already do
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
My people skills have definitely improved, as I have been exposed to people of different backgrounds and cultures, especially in this rotation I have seen the best way to bring people up to speed on the current job after recently joining, which is a difficult process that I haven't experienced before
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
The project structure is supreme, I have a large network of support from both peers who are also apprentices, to supervisors who are encouraging the growth of both myself and graduates who are at a similar level to me. i think there is some room for improvement, but currently I'm very happy with it
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
An unquantifiable amount. My line manager has been invested in my mental health which has been of huge benefit, especially in the past year when lockdown has been so tough, as previously stated I have great relationships with other apprentices and peers, as well as mentors for each rotation who show interest in where I am, how I am and what I am up to
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
2/5
I feel like the support is adequate, I am given reasonable delays for my coursework submissions, should I need it, and the University seems invested in my wellbeing as a student, I feel like sometimes there is a few issues where a faster response would help, but given the condition of the staff currently with redundancies this can be forgiven and understood
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
I feel that the qualification helps me to understand better the technical conversations taking place around the workplace, where generally the mentors and those who have been around me have years of experience, as well as a masters degree or more qualifications, which means I lag behind, following the completion of the qualification I feel I will be closer to the same level and hopefully more comfortable in similar roles
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
There are multiple, the most prominent is the choir, which many of my colleagues are a part of. Every Thursday the team I'm currently in has a virtual Pub Quiz which has a specific theme each week, which is good, and at Christmas the team had a murder mystery game virtually
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Unilever to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I could talk about this subject specifically for hours, and have recommended Unilever to many of my friends already. The company, to me, makes me feel valued, and as if my work is important to the wellbeing of the company and of the consumer. The work to reduce the carbon footprint and produce commercially whilst still being responsible is one of the most impressive things, especially because the progression is the morally right and responsible things to do, for my own future
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Unilever?
I would advise the candidate to research around the company, and the rich history of the company, who they'd be working with and their experience, what they'd be working on. The most important part would be to not lie, and be themselves, as it is hard to work somewhere while pretending to be someone you are not
