An Apprentice's Point of View

ABA Procurement have been leading the way in offering Procurement and Supply Apprenticeships in the East Of England.

We caught up with Steve Worley, one of their first Apprenticeship students, along with the Head of Procurement for the Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust, Neil Bloomfield.

 So, why an apprenticeship with ABA Procurement?

Neil: After meeting with David [Pratt, ABA Managing Director] we felt ABA offered well rounded commercial training, as well as allowing us to achieve a quick return on our investment. Most importantly, training with ABA meant out apprentices became a part of the local Norfolk cohort of procurement practitioners.

Steve: The ABA Apprenticeship gave me the perfect opportunity to validate my experience with a qualification while enabling me to learn new skills for my career.

How have you found your Apprenticeship journey so far?

S: It’s a misunderstanding that all apprentices are 18, I’m certainly not that age! Having worked in Procurement for 8 years, the ABA Blended Learning approach let me build my qualification around my workload by giving me quality time with a tutor.

Steve, what has been your proudest achievement to date?

S: Having not sat an exam for some time, coming out of my first one with a distinction was certainly welcome! What I’ve learned has also increased my capability at work, helping me deliver higher annual savings.

 N: Since starting the course, our Apprentices have grown in confidence and ability, allowing them to covert this teaching into results. To show you what I mean:
Our annualised savings result this year is £1061K, up from £453K the previous year.

So what are the future plans?

S: Being ambitious, I want to progress as far as I can and study through to obtain the MCIPS qualification.

What would you like to say to others considering joining the Apprenticeship scheme?

S: For me, it’s a no-brainer. If you’re prepared to put in the work and learn, then the ABA apprenticeship scheme is definitely for you. ABA provides a fantastic learning environment to study in and the support from the tutors and the operations team has been first class.

The question for me isn’t why should you, it’s why wouldn’t you?

As well as Procurement Apprenticeships, ABA also offer the full ladder of CIPS Qualifications.