Packaging Apprentice Review
at AstraZeneca
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Science
Macclesfield
Review Submitted: May 2022
Overall Rating
4.8 /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!
5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
4.4/5
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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:
5/5
On a day to day basis, I will participate in many project development meetings with my team members as well as the wider organisation and regularly with people external to the organisation i.e. contract manufacturers. I will also complete work in the labs, testing components and writing up experiments.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
The company culture is unbeaten due to the values of the company itself. Everyone is willing to help, kind and friendly. My team are inviting and encouraging, pushing me to try new challenges and to get involved with new work packages. I really enjoy working for AZ.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have completed a few internal training courses provided by AZ including personal development courses, presentation training courses and ambassador training courses with STEM and SIP. I am also on the route to achieving my degree in packaging design and technology at university.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
I have a 80/20 split, working 4 days a week with AZ and then having the 5th day as a study day for University. Every 2 months, I travel to Sheffield for 3 days to receive face to face lectures. I have a meeting once a week with my mentor to support University and work.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
My manager and mentor both have a 121 with me every week to catch up and discuss work and University. My team have a very positive attitude to support me with any work packages. AZ really advertise support systems for mental health, stress etc which isn't hard to access on the intranet or through the phone.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
I have a quarterly review with my work based learning coach and AZ mentor to discuss my progress, any worries and targets for the quarter. My tutors are easy to communicate with and look to align the way they teach to what suits the students best. I really enjoy university and like the balance been that and work at AZ.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
My team at AZ do their best to align any work that I am doing at university to a work package. This way it helps me apply theory to practical. I am able to share what I have been learning at University in the team meetings and have found that especially in my second year some of the content I am learning at University has been applicable to helping my team.
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
There is an Apprentice Comity which organises social events inside and outside of work, including volunteering activities and social activities. There are many areas on campus for apprentices to get together on site for their lunch or catch up meetings as well.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend AstraZeneca to a friend?
Yes
Why?
AZ has really helped grow my confidence both inside and outside of the workplace. The transition from A levels/ college to the workplace can be difficult but AZ made this as seamless and comfortable as possible. The campus is nice to be on, lots of green space, seating areas, places to get lunch from etc and the people on campus are nice to speak to and genuinely want to support you to achieve.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to AstraZeneca?
- Do background research on the company before the assessment day/ interview.
- Get involved with all the onboarding social activities to be able to network with other apprentices.
- Don't be shy in getting things wrong, AZ are really open to failure and growing from it as that's what makes you more knowledgeable.
- Get involved with all the onboarding social activities to be able to network with other apprentices.
- Don't be shy in getting things wrong, AZ are really open to failure and growing from it as that's what makes you more knowledgeable.
