Donna Whyte is an Assistant Business Manager at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust who has recently successfully completed the Level 3 Procurement Assistant Apprenticeship with overall Distinction! She talks to Nicky from APA about her experience on the Level 3 Procurement Assistant Apprenticeship.
Firstly, Congratulations on receiving a distinction for your Level 3 Apprenticeship!
How did you find the experience on the Level 3 Apprenticeship course? How did APA support you?
I thoroughly enjoyed the Level 3 Apprenticeship. Since I don’t work directly in a procurement environment, much of the content was completely new to me. Previously, my understanding of what actually goes on within a procurement department, after I’ve completed my part as a requisitioner, was quite limited.
While I knew that certain processes had to be followed, I didn’t fully appreciate their purpose or how they contributed to the overall workflow. However, this apprenticeship has truly helped to fill those gaps in my understanding, and I found several of the modules genuinely enlightening.
My tutor, Lynn, was amazing. She explained everything so clearly and, if there was something I didn’t grasp, she always managed to relate it to something familiar, making it much easier to understand. The teaching sessions were highly interactive, and everyone in my group contributed, which meant I gained insight into the different approaches people take in procurement from both the public and private sectors. A wide variety of learning resources were available, including textbooks, articles, YouTube videos and study guides. The support provided was excellent.
Had you any previous experience in procurement before starting the Level 3 Apprenticeship?
Not really. Although I am responsible for managing high-value contracts, including tracking expenditure and overseeing invoicing, my prior experience in procurement was largely limited to raising requisitions for purchase orders and subsequently monitoring those POs once they were issued.
Can you tell us what results this training has had on you personally and also how has it affected your organisation/department?
Doing the apprenticeship has really boosted my confidence at work. Now I feel comfortable speaking up and challenging things if needed, making sure procurement is done properly and everything goes by the book. Both the directors and procurement managers I work with have noticed this change, they’ve seen how my confidence and better understanding have helped make some processes run more smoothly. Because I know which questions to ask now, they don’t have to get involved as much, which means things get done quicker.
What new knowledge did you gain by doing the apprenticeship, what areas do you now know more about?
Honestly, I feel that this training has expanded my knowledge in every aspect of procurement. However, the area where I have experienced the most significant development is contract administration, which is particularly relevant as managing contracts is a major component of my day-to-day work. The team dynamics module was also informative, and I can apply some of what I learned from that into my role as a manager.
How did you feel the End Point Assessment went? Do you have any advice around this for others?
My End Point Assessments went smoothly. Although I was understandably nervous, I had prepared thoroughly, which meant I was as ready as possible for the questions the assessor would ask me. Being well-prepared allowed me to discuss my project and answer questions with confidence.
If you’re getting ready for your EPA, my advice would be to put in the effort because you’ll get out what you put in. Work closely with your tutor, send them your drafts so they can give you tips. My tutor gave me some example questions that I might get asked, and I wrote down answers for each of them and made sure I knew exactly where to find the right evidence in my portfolio. Honestly, being prepared makes all the difference; if you put in the prep and believe in what you know, you’ll be able to talk about your work with confidence.
What does the future hold for you in your procurement career?
At present, I don’t have any plans to go for the Level 4 qualification. That said, my job is starting to focus more on finance and procurement in the clinical department, so things could change. If it turns out I need it down the line, I will most definitely undertake it.