Laura our Supply Chain Acting Merchandising Manager is studying for the Level 7 Digital and Technology Solutions Apprenticeship alongside her role. Read on to find out more about her experience so far:

How have you found the apprenticeship so far? 

I have found the apprenticeship incredibly interesting and insightful. It has enabled me to not only build my technical skills but also build upon my soft skills such as project management and leadership which I have been able to apply and practise in my day to day role.

What has been your biggest learning so far? 

My biggest learning so far has been further understanding how much of an impact technology can have on a business, and how to be successful, there needs to be a clear roadmap and strategy in place.

How do you use your apprenticeship learnings in your day to day role? 

I have been able to use all the new skills and knowledge to build new tools which help to maximise productivity within the Supply Chain Department and provide new deeper levels of insights from data which can be applied to our Merchandising projects.   

How are you currently using your off the job training? 

I have mainly used the off the job training time to practise and apply my new technical skills. For example, we required a new tool to be built for uploading and storing data accurately. Usually, IT would simply build and hand over the tool to us. In this instance, however, I used my time to work and collaborate with IT and help to build parts of the tool myself. The tool has saved a large amount of time and money across the business.

What are the three words you would use to describe your apprenticeship journey?

Practical, rewarding and insightful.