Chartered Management Degree Apprentice Review
at Howdens
Degree Apprenticeship
Business Operations
Howden, East Riding of Yorkshire
Review Submitted: May 2025
Overall Rating
4.4 /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
4.2/5
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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
My role is in engineering, day-to-day I look into the utilisation of machines or areas of our factories to see if they could be more efficient and what possible solutions we could implement. I have also created capacity models for our packing lines before and after introducing a new line to find our timeframe to order a new packing line.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
Quite a lot- I have always had an interest for business as I did it at GCSE and A-Level and the topics we cover have some similarities meaning I understand and enjoy what the programme is teaching us. Which I feel is important for a course as enjoying the subject makes it easier to learn and understand.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I have improved my confidence through meeting and interacting with new people daily. From our own operators to CEOs of external suppliers. I feel I can talk to new people much easier and with increased confidence. I have been to visit multiple suppliers and learn how they operate and how they may benefit us on our projects and with our goals.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
Very well, the modules are easily laid out and we complete weekly tasks which contribute to our end of module assignment. These weekly tasks lay the foundation of the module and help us develop our learning and knowledge to complete assignments.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
Support is readily available and very helpful, the topics we look into within our course link well with Howdens and how we operate. If I have any questions or require any help my manager is very helpful with providing the answer or pointing me in the correct direction of finding it.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
Support from Corndel is great too, the tutor for my cohort is great and he is always wanting to help and answers any questions we have. He also does weekly updates which are informative and discuss common questions he is asked which may help the further cohort, as well as sharing updates and other useful websites for the specific weekly work due that week.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
Decently well, the topics we learn link up great with Howdens and are useful to put into our day-to-day work, such as time-management techniques and data analysis. Which is exceptionally helpful with my daily tasks in engineering where I focus on data and the detail within it.
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 numerous available at Howdens, with engineering we attended the IMechE regional dinner which many of my team members helped with our the past year so we was invited to attended. It was a great evening and an excellent way to team bond and celebrate Howdens involvement within the IMechE as well as networking with other companies who contribute to the IMechE.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Howdens to a friend?
Yes
Why?
A main reason is the culture around the business, this is because it is so welcoming and friendly. By this I mean it is an enjoyable place to work with numerous amounts of support, everybody is happy to help and share their knowledge. In addition, there is so many opportunities as well as this course which is excellent for someone early in their career like myself.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Howdens?
Push yourself out of your comfort zone and do not doubt yourself. Everyone makes mistakes but learning from them is what matters and at Howdens support is outstanding and the potential to network and make great relationships is excellent.
