Choosing an apprenticeship is a big step, especially when you’re balancing work responsibilities, coursework and personal commitments. The Procurement and Supply Chain Practitioner apprenticeship (aligned to CIPS Level 4 Diploma in Procurement & Supply) is designed to help learners develop practical procurement skills, gain a recognised qualification and apply learning directly to the workplace.
In this blog, one of our apprentices, Dan, shares his honest experience of the apprenticeship: what his role involves, why he chose the apprenticeship route, what he’s enjoyed most, the challenges he’s overcome, and the support that has made the biggest difference.
Can you tell us a bit about your role and the apprenticeship you’re currently completing?
At MBTS, I am the only member of the procurement team, as well as responsible for assisting in scheduling, customer relations, financial admin and production, when required. The Level 4 CIPS apprenticeship has been very enjoyable, and the breadth of topics covered have proven invaluable in all aspects of my role, not just in my procurement duties.
What made you choose an apprenticeship?
I was looking for a clear career path with options for progression and the opportunity to make a positive impact, and a career in procurement appeared to fit both of those criteria. In addition, the apprenticeship allowed me to meet my goals without having to struggle for funding or making time outside of working hours to complete the qualification, which has helped me maintain a healthy work life balance.
What does a typical day or week look like for you?
Due to the nature of my organisation, no two days or weeks are the same, however there are some common threads. The first half of my week typically consists of setting targets, highlighting priorities and actioning assigned tasks that are issued via various meetings. Tuesday mornings I will take a break from the day job to attend my apprenticeship workshop before diving back into the role.
Towards the end of the week, my focus shifts to clearing the decks by chasing supplier and customer communications, handling filing and archiving, finalising weekly billing and producing invoicing reports, as well as updating the production schedule and purchase order trackers I maintain. Friday mornings I attend the Senior Leadership Team Catch Up meeting to report on the week to date, before I dedicate the rest of my day to the apprenticeship coursework on OneFile.
What’s been the most enjoyable part of your apprenticeship?
The workshops with my trainer Katie are often the highlight of my week, as she is engaging, informed and personable. Every session leaves me in an excellent mood, and even the most abstract or complex topics are broken down succinctly and eloquently to help me understand them.
What’s been the most challenging part, and how have you overcome it?
Finding the time to keep on top of my apprenticeship work. Due to the nature of my role and my organisation, I’m unable to secure set times each week to work on my coursework. To overcome this, early on in the apprenticeship, I changed my working hours so that I work later on a Friday afternoon than the rest of my team. This time, in which I am on the only staff member online, is free from distractions of the day job, which allows me to focus on apprenticeship without interruption.
What new skills or knowledge have you gained since starting your apprenticeship?
The apprenticeship has provided me with valuable skills and knowledge regarding negotiation, data analysis and data management, which I have put to good use in my role. Also, due to the breadth of the topics covered, the apprenticeship has offered me an insight into effective business management, which I have applied in my role wherever I can.
What kind of support has made the biggest difference to your progress?
Oxpeg have been outstanding at supporting my development and growth in this apprenticeship. No matter what the issue, someone is always on hand to swiftly assist me with whatever issues I may be having.
My employer has also been incredibly supportive, allowing me time to study and sit my exams, even during an extended period of business disruption.
Direct support and advice from my trainer, Katie, has been the biggest factor in my success. Available any time and anywhere, she has been there for me throughout this process, offering advice not just on the apprenticeship, but professionally and personally, helping me through some incredibly difficult times that I may not have managed on my own.
How do you balance working, studying, and other commitments?
Week to week, I block out several hours exclusively for studying during my working hours to ensure that I have the time I need to work on coursework, study and attend workshops. I also clearly communicate my workload to my superiors, allowing us to work out an action plan to meet both the needs of the business and the needs of the apprenticeship.
Additionally, as the apprenticeship is tied to my working hours, I am strict about my start and finishing times during the week, never taking work home with me or allowing it to intrude on my private life as I have several other commitments in my spare time that I need to maintain. My active social life also prevents me from having the time to spare to carry on my day job or apprenticeship work beyond my contracted hours.
What advice would you give to someone considering an apprenticeship?
Trust the process, do the work, and make sure to take time for yourself. The workload can be daunting, especially while trying to stay on top of the day job, but it’s absolutely worth the time and effort. Just don’t try and overdo it, resting and recuperating is as much a part of the process as the coursework is. Burning out trying to keep all the plates spinning helps nobody.
What would you say to employers thinking about taking on an apprentice?
The value an apprenticeship can bring to your business far outweighs the time the apprentice needs to complete their workload. Work based learning opportunities and the Work Based Evidence required of an apprentice will push them into projects and tasks they might not otherwise engage with, and this gives them the opportunity to not only grow their understanding of their profession and your business, but also allows them to put into practice the concepts they are learning, offering fresh perspectives and opinions that may be missed or overlooked otherwise.
Interested in the Procurement and Supply Chain Practitioner Apprenticeship? This apprenticeship has been designed for those who want to develop real procurement skills, gain a recognised qualification, and apply learning directly to the workplace.
Whether you’re an employer looking to upskill staff or an individual exploring a career in procurement, we can help you understand the programme, the commitment involved, and how apprentices are supported throughout.