This year we welcomed our first ever Procurement Trainee Apprentices, Amariah and Zahran.

National Apprenticeship Week 2024 (5 to 11 February) is the 17th annual celebration of apprenticeships. The week brings together everyone passionate about apprenticeships to celebrate the value, benefit and opportunity that they bring. The theme for this year is “Skills for Life”. At LUPC we are passionate about playing our part in introducing and supporting people into the world of procurement.

Let’s hear from Amariah and Zahran…

Why did you decide to go for an apprenticeship?

A:  After deciding to leave university, I knew I wanted to be a part of an apprenticeship scheme, however I was not sure which to go for. While looking at different specialties I was interested in, this opportunity eventually came up. I researched further into both LUPC and procurement as a whole; the LUPCs’ prestigious member list is what initially intrigued me, and the depth of procurement strengthened my desire to apply for this position.

Z: I chose an apprenticeship as I feel that one gets best of both worlds. You can learn and earn practical experience in a work environment and then apply the theory from your studies into your work life and vice versa. As this is not my first apprenticeship, I was excited to get another opportunity to go through this path again but in a different field, Procurement.

What is your favourite thing you have learned so far about Procurement?

A: I would say it is difficult to choose a singular favourite thing about procurement, but it is clear, the variety of it is the most fascinating. Through learning about this subject, I have found that there are multiple avenues it leads to and many opportunities it offers; There is so much to learn and the different commodities within LUPC have pushed the expansion of my knowledge and interest extensively.

Z: I appreciate learning about sustainable procurement and how it affects each department. It is an in-depth understanding that all organisations in procurement should know about or try to uphold.

What are your first impressions about working at LUPC?

A: My first impression from working at LUPC was how harmonious the atmosphere was, especially in the way that everyone works together. It is a lovely environment to be included in and a place where you can focus on your work, while being able to build relationships with your co-workers at the same time. I feel very privileged to have fallen into a workplace as well structured and kind as this, and I cannot imagine finding anywhere like this again. Everybody’s individual work gets driven by the support of the network within the team. It is inspiring to see how much is achieved on a day-to-day basis and I aspire to be able to meet these expectations throughout my time here.  

Z: I found my first impression of working at LUPC to be welcoming by all and already having a sense of comfort with the team and how connected the team feels as it is a great size team. The office is lovely, not too big, not too small but perfect environment for work.