As part of National Apprenticeship Week this year, PD Ports is taking the opportunity to celebrate the individuals within the business who are currently studying to an apprenticeship standard, as well as those who have completed apprenticeships and continue to work here.
With an award-winning apprenticeship programme now spanning for more than two decades, PD Ports is a proud proponent of investing in its people and views apprenticeship standards as an excellent means to upskilling employees.
What is an apprenticeship standard?
An apprenticeship standard identifies the specific skills required for different occupations. Those studying an apprenticeship standard will take part in a learning programme that will equip them with these skills and ensure that they are proficient in their job role upon completion.
PD Ports is currently utilising apprenticeship standards that cover a broad range of functions to accommodate the diverse roles of those working at the business. These apprenticeship standards span across varying levels of qualification, from Level 2 (equivalent to GCSE grades 4–9 or A*–C) all the way to Level 7 (equivalent to master’s degree):
Level 2
Property Maintenance
Accounts Assistant
Level 3
Maintenance & Operations Engineering
Business Administration
Plate Welder
Heavy Vehicle Service and Maintenance Technician
Payroll Administrator
Information Communications Technician
Marketing Assistant
Engineering Manufacture
Level 4
Network Engineer
Sales Executive
Professional Accounting
Cyber Security Technologist
Level 6
Electrical/Electronic Technical Support Engineer
Civil Engineer
Chartered Surveyor
Manufacturing Engineer
Chartered Manager Degree
Level 7
Senior Leaders Master’s Degree
Senior Leader
Milly Reed joined PD Ports’ procurement department in September 2022 and is currently studying a Level 3 Business Administrator apprenticeship standard alongside her job role, meaning she can upskill whilst also acquiring vital experience in the workplace.
The theme for this year’s National Apprenticeship Week is ‘Skills for Life’, so we met with Milly to hear about her role in the procurement team, the skills she’s gained so far and her plans for the future.
How are you progressing with your role at PD Ports?
I am progressing with my apprenticeship at PD Ports very well, I am always learning new things and finding ways to better myself and my work. Since starting at PD Ports in September my confidence has increased immensely and I now feel very comfortable within my position.
What sort of tasks do you deal with on a day-to-day basis?
My tasks vary from day to day. I complete a lot of just general administration tasks such as the monitoring of the IFS procurement mailbox and the PD Supplier mailbox, unfulfilled purchase order reports, the setting up of new suppliers in In-tend and IFS, expiring inactive suppliers and raising purchase orders as and when required, along with many other tasks.
What sort of skills have you developed so far with your role, and how do these help you in your role?
Since starting my apprenticeship, I have been developing my skills in IT and I am now using the systems and software more independently and unaided. I have developed my skills in written communication and knowing how to write emails to both internal and external stakeholders. It has also developed my confidence a lot which comes into my knowledge and understanding of the processes around different systems, CRM platforms and ways in which the standards of good practice are met for tasks assigned.
What do you like most about your role?
I like how there are so many different aspects of procurement that I am continuously learning about. I also enjoy that I go to college one day a week which allows me to learn new things that I can bring back into the workplace and apply to my role. I like that my tasks are very different day to day and there is a wide variety of tasks for me to do. As well as this, everyone within the procurement team is really helpful and friendly and has made me feel so welcome.
How do you see your career developing in the future?
I would just like to keep progressing in my role within in the procurement department. I would like to keep expanding my knowledge and keep learning, while also taking on any other opportunities that may come my way. I am only five months in, so I’ve still got a long way to go but I’m really looking forward to learning more!
