Manufacturing Management Trainee Review

As a Manufacturing Management Trainee (MMT), my days are very varied. I have spent most of my time learning the Technical Assistant, Technical Manager and Factory Manager roles. At first, I really enjoyed understanding all of the laboratory testing that the Technical Assistant conducts on a daily basis, as I had a particular interest in Chemistry at school. With the Technical Manager, I am constantly strengthening my understanding of ISO standards and how key factory processes work (eg. using retractometers to understand our drying cycles as much as possible). Something I really enjoy in the summers is our annual clay win, I have attended two different site's annual clay wins, and this year I will be leading one at my factory which will involve geographical planning, an in depth understanding of health and safety in quarries legislation and our environmental permit and strong contractor management skills. Spending time with the Factory Manager has taught me invaluable people management skills (which I now put in practice with daily walks around site, conducting 'Safety Conversations' with everyone I see) and given me a good knowledge of factory finances and the influence the market has on factory operations. I also do a s much volunteering as possible, as a STEM Ambassador, raising the profile of Ibstock and apprenticeships.

The university course structure is well-laid out and communicated.
Ibstock take it a step further and provide you with their own modules, covering everything you should learn at work before the end of the apprenticeship, which provides great direction and makes planning the coming weeks and months with my mentors much easier.

I can genuinely say I do not think it is possible for me to receive any more support from my employer. I am fortunate to have mentors at my site who are so lovely, always willing to help, and constantly offering me more opportunities for development. Something that is really important, as well, is that they understand that there are times when I do not have much university work, and times where I have a lot - so are very flexible and within reason allow me to structure my time as I see best when needed. Ellis and Karen in the Early Careers team are only ever a message away, and always make time to support me when needed, I also feel that they made the on boarding process very smooth by keeping in touch in the months between my offer and start date. Not only do I have the support of my managers and the Early Careers Team, Ibstock really does have such a positive clture towards embracing apprentices, everyone on site and across the group that I have interacted with has been happy to help, for example last year I had a university project focusing on sustainability, so I reached out to the ESG and Sustainability Manager (whom I had only met once) for support and within a week we had had a Teams call where he had explained key concepts and answered all of my questions!

The university provide support wherever possible, but sometimes it can be hard to get a quick response from the course leader. Fortunately, we have another point of contact with our Work Based Learning Coaches, who always provide support quickly and are able to chase others if needed.

The degree links to the role as we study ceramics, but also s quite diverse as all materials are studied, giving a wider industry knowledge.

Yes

So much support and opportunity for development.