Management Trainee Review
at MDS
Degree Apprenticeship
Supply Chain Management
Spalding
Review Submitted: April 2026
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
4.6/5
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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
A varied graduate scheme which lead me to experiencing a variety or roles and companies, from Marketing to operations in one of the UKs leading high street retailers to account manager for one of the UKs leading fruit marketers.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
Although a challenging experience, I thoroughly enjoyed the scheme and what I was exposed to. I got to sit in rooms and talk to people I would never have been able to do without the MDS grad scheme
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Yes, major confidence boost and skills to equip me in a turbulent industry. I had supportive mentors who were genuinely interested in my welfare as well as career progression.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
It was organised and structured, however due to the nature of the scheme and industry things occurred, swapped or changed as policies, business needs etc changed so I had to be adaptable - this was out of MDS' hands but I was supported all the way through with catch ups and check ins.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
A significant amount whilst both on and off the programme - I had support finding full time employment post completing the scheme too.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
The skills coach was always on hand to help and assist when I had questions re the apprenticeship work. She had very quick replies and really understood the pressure that trainees at certain member businesses are under. Pre EPA, there was a mock interview/ assessment which was brilliant and really showed how much time went in to getting trainees readyfor their assessment.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
Through the training, I have learnt transferable skills that can be applied to a wide range of industry and sectors as well as situations that may be outside of 'work life'. For example, handling difficult conversations in friendship groups or sports clubs.
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
MDS heavily promote the involvement with professional networking and industry events, if you give the marketing team a 'business case' of why you want to attend such an event, and what content they can use out of it, then there is encouragement to attend as well as financial help to cover mileage, accommodation and food.
There is a TAG (Trainee Action Group) that organises events when trainees are together, to encapsulate the togetherness of the scheme as well as what you are exposed to whilst on secondment.
At my secondments, there has been football teams, netball teams, run clubs and tennis accessible to me - as well as social lunches, pub trips and leaving meals.
There is a TAG (Trainee Action Group) that organises events when trainees are together, to encapsulate the togetherness of the scheme as well as what you are exposed to whilst on secondment.
At my secondments, there has been football teams, netball teams, run clubs and tennis accessible to me - as well as social lunches, pub trips and leaving meals.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend MDS to a friend?
Yes
Why?
It has given me exposure, opportunities and the confidence to tackle a very challenging industry that everyone needs. Everyone needs to eat, and this scheme has exposed me to all aspects of the industry - no one will ever look at products on the shelf in a supermarket the same way!
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to MDS?
Be open minded and trust the process, the People Development team place trainees in secondments that are going to stretch and challenge you - that is what is going to develop you.
