I couldn’t recommend doing an apprenticeship scheme with E.ON Next enough.

Hi. My name is Jude, and I’m a Business Improvement Manager in the Chief of Staff team at E.ON Next. Previously I was a future leaders Degree Apprentice at E.ON UK, undertaking seven placements across the organisation as well as studying towards my degree.?

The scheme’s placements offer opportunities to learn and develop a variety of professional skills. They also help participants to find the right place to continue their career, post apprenticeship. During my three and a half years as an apprentice, I completed all these placements: Team Administrative Assistant; Channel Adoption Analyst; B2B Sales Associate - E.ON Drive; Diversity and Inclusion Associate; Junior Analyst - E.ON Energy Markets: Team Leader (Residential Operations) - E.ON Next; and Strategist - E.ON Next.?

Alongside these, I studied a BA Business Management and Leadership degree. It’s a qualification that provides a strong foundation of knowledge and theory, to support my development within the workplace. It has also improved my ability to add value to the teams I’ve been placed with – and now I have secured a role within E.ON Next in the Transformation team, driving organisational improvement and growth.

Prior to starting my apprenticeship, I studied A-levels in Business, Finance, and Law. At this stage, surveying my options as a sixth form leaver, I opted to go with the less-travelled route and seek out an apprenticeship opportunity. I was eager to gain professional work experience and begin my career, but a degree qualification was still a significant goal for me, so a Degree Apprenticeship seemed the ideal opportunity. The E.ON scheme provided everything I was looking for, and I was fortunate enough to be successful through the application and interview process.?

The opportunity to gain professional experience within a large organisation was invaluable, and has given me a head start in my career. I can’t overstate the value of being able to do all this in tandem with gaining the knowledge university study provides. Not only have I developed my knowledge in key business functions, I’ve also developed considerably as a person. That’s down to working directly with experienced colleagues, having the opportunity to be mentored by a senior leader within E.ON, and being part of a strong network of apprentices.

In my final year, I made the switch from E.ON UK to E.ON Next, with the aim of furthering my understanding of our customer base, as I also gain experience in leadership and team management. My placement as a team leader within E.ON Next is probably the move that has had the most impact on me, for a number of reasons. I’m sure other degree apprentices got tired of hearing me recommend that they should follow suit!?

The move to E.ON Next was smooth, but I definitely felt the shift in culture. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time in both Residential Operations and with the Strategy team – to the point where I decided to onboard within E.ON Next itself. I was fortunate enough to secure my role on the Chief of Staff team, where I can now use the skills I developed over my apprenticeship, as I tackle the challenge of taking new responsibilities. This suits me, because I enjoy pushing myself to achieve new things.?

Looking back, I’d say having a positive attitude to feedback and learning from those around me were the keys to my success as an apprentice. Now, you’ll often see me around the office with my headphones on (I’m constantly listening to music – currently, a lot of Stevie Wonder!).?

Outside work, I spend most of my time playing football, cycling, in the gym, or hanging out with friends and family. I’m also a keen reader, and enjoy learning about sociology and philosophy. I like classic novels too, and recently finished Brave New World by Aldous Huxley which I thoroughly enjoyed. I also recommend Bill Gates’ How to Avoid a Climate Disaster, and Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari.?

I can’t speak highly enough of doing an apprenticeship scheme with E.ON. The team focuses on your development, both as a person and a professional. Ultimately, it means I’ve gained the benefits of four years’ experience and a degree (debt-free), all while being paid a salary throughout.?

It’s exactly the kind of career launchpad I was hoping for.?