Apprenticeships aren’t just for school leavers. How Muntons is creating the leaders of the future with its apprenticeship scheme.
Muntons has been running its current apprenticeship scheme, better known as the management trainee programme with the West Suffolk College, since 2017.
Ellie Smith, who’s been with Muntons for 11 years, is currently completing her Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) Level 5 Operations and Departmental Management course and talks about her apprenticeship experience:
“I joined Muntons in January 2008 as a part-time receptionist and once my girls were a little older, I moved into a fulltime administrative role within our craft beer and wine department. This position gave me a good grounding and enabled me to learn more about the company and its products.
My next position was then in the customer service department where I continued my learning journey and worked with many of our overseas accounts. It was while working in the customer service team that I found that I wanted to learn more and when the opportunity arose to apply for a management trainee position, and in 2019 I started the programme and I haven’t looked back since.
University wasn’t on the cards for me, because I started my family when I was quite young. So, this was a chance for me to further my knowledge, broaden my understanding and gain a qualification at the end of the programme.”
The apprentices on Muntons’ programme follow the ILM curriculum, which is a nationally recognised management qualification. All ILM are supported by the West Suffolk College and the awards are given by The City and Guilds of London Institute. As part of the programme, those on the course gain valuable experience by working in all areas of the business.
Ellie continues: “Thanks to this course, I’ve been able to spend time in procurement and production, and I’m now currently working in HR.
I have the most understanding and encouraging tutor at the West Suffolk College, who I am in regular contact with, even during lockdown. She is incredibly supportive and I’m grateful to have her cheering me on, alongside the team at work.
Muntons is incredibly supportive and really does help us to get the best out of our role and ILM course. As an apprentice who’s training to become a manager, I’m given opportunities to apply my learnings within the business and not just the coursework.
I look forward to using everything I’ve learnt along the way and become a successful manager within the company. I’d certainly recommend furthering your career by taking up an apprenticeship; being paid to learn on the job is an excellent opportunity and one that I’m pleased I took up.”
