17 October 2019
By
Ebony Armitage - Further Competition Coordinator at YPO
Apprenticeships were always more attractive to me when leaving college, as I wanted to learn with hands on experience, rather than reading through textbooks and having endless exams. In July 2018, I began my journey at YPO as an apprentice.
Where it began
After studying and achieving A-Levels in Business Studies, English Language and Literature and Psychology, I decided to enter a working career rather than attending university.
When I began at YPO, I was put into the HR Services category in the procurement services team as a business administration apprentice; this is where I discovered my love for procurement.
I began to explore and learn about many different HR related areas, from temporary recruitment and consultancy, to apprenticeships to interpretation and translation! Despite there being so much to learn in procurement, and it being challenging and overwhelming at times, I have thoroughly enjoyed every day at YPO and the opportunities that they have given me.
Kickstarting my career
Six months into my apprenticeship, all my hard work and continuous learning as an apprentice finally paid off when I was promoted to the role of a further competition coordinator in December 2018. Oh, how excited I was! This is the biggest achievement in my career so far…
My role as a further competition coordinator includes supporting customers with their call-offs, and other enquiries they may have. I support the category buyers with procuring new tenders, managing the rebate from all eight HR Services related frameworks. I also attend customer and supplier meetings and evaluate tender responses, and much more!
I have a different task every day – the job is never dull and boring; I’m constantly on my toes.
Where I want to go
Despite only being young, I am certain that I want my career path to be in procurement. It isn’t a job that I dread getting up for in the morning!
I would like my next job role to be an assistant buyer, enabling me to gain the knowledge and experience to then become a category buyer. Eventually, I aim to achieve my MCIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply) qualification as this will help broaden my procurement knowledge, and ultimately open more doors, allowing me to progress further in my procurement career.
18 months ago, I was not only brand new to procurement but the working world too. Now I have discovered a career for life!
See Charlotte's apprenticeship journey and where it has taken her, as well as why an apprenticeship scheme is a valuable component of ours and any other business.