Adam is currently completing a Rolls-Royce apprenticeship and studying the CIPS Level 4 Diploma in Procurement and Supply with Oxford Professional Education (OXPE). In this Q&A, Adam shares what his role involves, what he’s enjoyed most so far and how the apprenticeship is helping him build confidence, skills and workplace experience.
Can you tell us a bit about your role and the apprenticeship you’re currently completing?
I am currently a procurement apprentice working at Rolls-Royce, completing the CIPS Level 4 Diploma in Procurement and Supply with Oxford Professional Education.
My current placement role is with one of the In-Contract Excellence teams at Rolls-Royce, managing various contracts with suppliers and seeking post-contract improvements.
What made you choose an apprenticeship?
I chose to pursue an apprenticeship during my final year in college after deciding that university wasn’t my first choice, and that I wanted to get some first-hand working experience after my A-Levels.
The ability to gain crucial work experience while completing a professional qualification really appealed to me, and it felt like an exciting opportunity.
What were you hoping to gain when you first started your apprenticeship?
When I first started the apprenticeship, I wanted to gain valuable work experience whilst building on the skills and knowledge I had gained throughout school and college life, particularly focusing on enhancing key skills that would help me succeed in the workplace.
I also wanted the opportunity to meet new people, make new connections, and learn from individuals from similar and different backgrounds to my own. I wanted to learn from successful people first-hand.
How has your apprenticeship experience been so far?
I have thoroughly enjoyed my apprenticeship so far and have had great opportunities to be involved in, and lead, some very interesting workstreams at Rolls-Royce. I’ve also achieved fantastic progress towards completing my professional qualification with OXPE.
Both OXPE and Rolls-Royce have provided me with the utmost support and guidance to help me reach the position I’m currently in, which I am very proud of.
What does a typical day or week look like for you?
In my current work placement, a typical work week is split across my responsibilities at work and my study with OXPE.
My tasks include ongoing weekly responsibilities and longer-term projects, helping me deliver the best value to my placement team during my six-month stint.
I also receive weekly lessons and assignments from OXPE to study the content and prepare for the various modules I’m examined on for the Level 4 CIPS qualification.
Rolls-Royce provides me with a weekly study day to support the completion of my professional qualification, which is a testament to the personal and professional development that is promoted within the company.
What’s been the most enjoyable part of your apprenticeship?
The most enjoyable part has been some of the fantastic opportunities I’ve had the chance to be involved with.
From negotiating directly with suppliers, supporting category-wide sourcing projects, and managing ongoing agreements between Rolls-Royce and the supply chain, I have gained a vast amount of experience in the placement roles I have been in. I’ve also been able to work on interesting and rewarding projects.
What’s been the most challenging part, and how have you overcome it?
Some of the most challenging parts have been times when I don’t have the experience and expertise in a certain task or project and feel a bit directionless.
However, the way the apprenticeship is delivered by both Rolls-Royce and OxPE encourages independent working and problem-solving to overcome challenges and achieve the desired results. This promotes the crucial personal and professional development associated with an apprenticeship, boosting key skills and behaviours such as confidence.
There are also fantastic support networks available, with an attitude of speaking up and asking others when you are unsure or need help. This is embedded within all apprentices working at Rolls-Royce and learning with OxPE, supporting them across all areas of the apprenticeship.
What new skills or knowledge have you gained since starting your apprenticeship?
I have gained a vast array of new skills and knowledge since starting my apprenticeship.
Many of these are core soft skills that I’ve had the opportunity to develop through both Rolls-Royce and OxPE, such as communication and adaptability. I have also grown in my knowledge of procurement through the work placements I have had at Rolls-Royce and the education and teaching that have been provided by OxPE.
How have you found the support from your Oxford Professional Education and your employer?
The support from both OxPE and Rolls-Royce has been outstanding since starting my apprenticeship.
I have always felt fully supported when requiring assistance or guidance, and I’ve also felt valued and welcomed through frequent check-ins from both the training provider and employer.
This has helped me stay on track and allowed OxPE and Rolls-Royce to ensure I have no concerns or issues, and that I am performing positively during my work placement and study, as well as in my personal life away from work.
How do you balance working, studying, and other commitments?
To maintain a positive balance between work, study, and my personal life, I make sure I remain up to date with tasks and projects across both my work placements and studying.
If at any point I’m unable to keep up with my workload, I reach out to my support network at both OXPE and Rolls-Royce. This might involve receiving support from members of my placement team to meet project deadlines, or working with professionals at OXPE to help hit due dates for assignments.
Having strong boundaries has also been crucial to maintaining a good balance between work, study, and personal life. I make sure there are certain non-negotiables in my routine that give me important break-away time from work and studying.
Do you feel more prepared for your future career now? Why?
I feel much more prepared for my future career since starting my apprenticeship.
Prior to this, I lacked some of the direction and career progression that I wanted. I also felt I was lacking some of the key skills that would help me reach these goals.
But during my time on the Rolls-Royce apprenticeship scheme, I feel much more confident and knowledgeable about where I would like my career to develop. I’ve also equipped myself with the crucial knowledge and skills to make this happen.
Would you consider progressing to another apprenticeship or qualification in the future?
I would definitely consider continuing my development through an apprenticeship or further qualification in the future.
I think it is very important to always be looking for areas of improvement and progression within a working environment or your personal life. As an apprentice studying for a professional qualification, I can clearly see how it can not only improve your performance within your job role and develop your career prospects, but also provide fantastic opportunities for personal growth and achievements.
What would you say to employers thinking about taking on an apprentice?
I would highly encourage any employers thinking of taking on an apprentice to do so.
From my own personal experience, I can see that full-time employees really enjoy working with apprentices. It gives them a chance to share their knowledge and experience, develop another person, and feel the reward of seeing that person flourish.
Apprentices can also bring new perspectives and fresh ideas to a team or organisation. This can be through identifying improvements such as simplifying standard processes or developing helpful resources on how to complete certain tasks.
Overall, I would say that an apprentice is a highly valuable person to support a diverse workforce and help a business achieve new and improved growth and development.
If you had to sum up your apprenticeship experience in three words, what would they be?
Exciting, progressive and rewarding.
Interested in developing your team through apprenticeships? Oxford Professional Education supports employers and learners with apprenticeship training designed to build workplace capability and confidence.