CHOOSING A DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP

After A-levels, I chose to pursue a corporate banking career from the age of 18. After a change in my work circumstances and career path in 2019, I joined Amazon and was immediately made aware of the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (CMDA). I chose to apply and was successful in joining the programme, allowing me to achieve a life-long ambition to gain a professional qualification.

LEARNING AS I EARN

CMDA allows me to work, learn and earn while developing new skills and a qualification desired by Amazon, which should increase my earning potential and development into senior roles. I’m already seeing a multitude of benefits as my communication, problem-solving, negotiation, strategic thinking and resilience are improving through the application of theory into key site projects that deliver positive returns and business efficiency.

The degree has allowed me to become involved in a number of Amazon site-critical projects at my site (BHX5) where I’ve applied theory to practice. I’ve learnt first-hand how the application of new processes have positive impact and drive key objectives such as safety, capacity, productivity, and cost reduction, as well as focus on solutions that deliver sustainability and environmental benefits.

A PRACTICAL WAY OF WORKING

The programme provides a practical way of learning where theory can be applied immediately through hands-on job tasks and experience. For example, when developing the white paper for the Ship Automation project at BHX5, finance theory in relation to the advantages of payback period and Net Present Value (NPV) were invaluable to achieving approval for the project.

BALANCING WORK AND STUDY

While the training and skills gained from the Apprenticeship will benefit my role at Amazon and Amazon within the industry, I’ve found attending the university as insightful and productive. The lectures and seminars are very informative, offering clear guidance and provide a methodical approach towards assignment completion. The fact that at least six of my working hours can be dedicated towards the CMDA provides a distinct advantage and I’ve agreed with management to focus one day a week on studies and research provided of course my daily work tasks are delivered. This approach has helped to provide a good balance between study and work.

BENEFITS FOR MY EMPLOYER

As the CMDA programme and assignments are relevant to Amazon, the skills that are developed are particularly useful to this working environment. The projects I have been working on have helped to increase productivity and quality in processes, reducing waste and cost. From improving pack rates, designing and sourcing new pick carts, restructuring departments, building business cases to source new technology in the shipping process, developing new pack box types and sourcing mains-fed drinking water solutions have helped (BHX5) to increase productivity, reduce costs, drive environmental improvements through less waste and increased awareness of sustainability. I’m appreciative of the opportunity that the CMDA programme has provided and want to do my best for Amazon going forward.

THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

Overall, the degree apprenticeship has provided the best of both worlds by opening the advantages of a university education while developing my professional experience. The workload is high but there is an excellent support structure provided by the University.

I would absolutely and wholeheartedly recommend the CMDA Programme. The first few months were difficult adjusting to self-learning, planning time and research but as I gained experience, it all became easier to manage. The CMDA leans towards applying theory to work-based projects and the course is tailored around the fact that you are at work, providing real-life examples that relate to your job. The lectures are useful as you can talk about your own job situations and how real-life work situations relate to the course. If anyone is considering changing their career or taking time out to study at University, my experience would suggest there is no need to wait for three years and then look for a promotion or job when you can do both through the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship.