Today marks the start of Learning at Work Week! This annual event highlights the importance and benefits of continual learning and development in the workplace and aims to build learning cultures at work.

At Alfred H Knight, we are passionate about investing in the future of our personnel. Developing the next generation of capable and motivated workforce is one of our core beliefs and we are committed to giving our talent the tools required to reach their highest potential. We achieve this through the delivery of apprenticeship schemes and a highly successful graduate program.

The theme for this year’s Learning at Work Week is ‘Create the Future’, so in celebration of this, we reached out to a number of our apprentices and graduates to see how they are finding their time at Alfred H Knight and highlight the great work they are doing.

APPRENTICES

ALFIE SAUNDERS – 19
COMMERCIAL SUPPORT ASSISTANT
LEVEL 4 MARKET RESEARCH APPRENTICESHIP

MY ROLE AT ALFRED H KNIGHT:

I carry out market research as part of the Business Planning & Analysis team at Alfred H Knight, contributing to sales analysis and pipeline analysis with a focus on the Agriculture market. I also build reports and provide insights, helping the wider business with decision support and performance analysis.

HOW HAS ALFRED H KNIGHT SUPPORTED YOU IN YOUR ROLE?

Alfred H Knight has supported me extensively throughout my apprenticeship journey, from weekly catch-up calls with my manager to discussing my progress on the course and attending sessions with my tutor to help to connect my course to my work.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR ROLE?

Every day I am learning from others within my team and people from all walks of life, all with different qualifications and levels of experience across the wider business.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN YOUR FUTURE CAREER AT ALFRED H KNIGHT?

I am most looking forward to travelling to see our sites and operations abroad as well as meeting colleagues from around the world and building connections and relationships with them.

AIDAN BOYD – 17
SAMPLE AND PREPARATION ANALYST
APPLIED SCIENCE WITH FORENSICS HND

MY ROLE AT ALFRED H KNIGHT:

I sample and prepare solid fuels such as coal, waste, and wood for chemical analysis. I also provide support with physical testing, such as Particle Size Distribution, HGI Grindability and Durability testing.

HOW HAS ALFRED H KNIGHT SUPPORTED YOU IN YOUR ROLE?

Alfred H Knight helps me a lot by supplying me with the equipment I need to join meetings and by allowing me to take time to do my college work.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR ROLE?

I like the idea of learning and working at the same time, as it allows me to grow my knowledge whilst being able to work. I’ve always wanted to be an apprentice as it’s a fun path to go on.

WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU’VE LEARNED SINCE STARTING YOUR APPRENTICESHIP?

Communication always makes a hard situation easier. You’re better off speaking up about an issue or something you don’t know than waiting till it’s too late to say it.

GRADUATES

AMY SHAW – 26
HR GRADUATE
HUMAN RESOURCES

MY ROLE AT ALFRED H KNIGHT:

I rotate around the different Human Resources sections (HR, HR Operations, Learning & Development and Talent Acquisition) and help with different projects. I’ve worked on expanding our graduates’ programmes, recruiting graduates, onboarding new colleagues and arranging induction events.

HOW HAS ALFRED H KNIGHT SUPPORTED YOU IN YOUR ROLE?

I have a very supportive Line Manager and Head of Department who offer a lot of support and encouragement and are continuously looking for ways to help with my career development. They offer opportunities to get involved with different projects, this builds my confidence to be able to go beyond my comfort zone.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR ROLE?

Being given opportunities to get stuck into projects and feeling that I am able to make a positive impact.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN YOUR FUTURE CAREER AT ALFRED H KNIGHT?

Growing my professional network, helping implement some beneficial measures for colleagues, and knowing I have made a positive difference. Hopefully some travel opportunities too.

ROGER WANG LU JIE – 26
OPERATIONAL GRADUATE
OPERATIONS TEAM (ASIA)

MY ROLE AT ALFRED H KNIGHT:

As the Operational Graduate based in Singapore, I am responsible for on-site warehouse stock and loading inspections, warehouse stock sampling, port loading and discharge operations, including vault audits for metal bullion types. I work closely with AHK teams in Asia and support them in upcoming projects and jobs

HOW HAS ALFRED H KNIGHT SUPPORTED YOU IN YOUR ROLE?

AHK is like a close-knitted family that trusts, respects and cares for each other. I can always count on someone senior to share their personal experiences to help guide me through any challenge I may face.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR ROLE?

The privilege of not being desk-bound and being able to interact with people from different cultures and backgrounds has been one of the most rewarding parts of the role thus far.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN YOUR FUTURE CAREER AT ALFRED H KNIGHT?

I look forward to having a deeper understanding of the operations in the region, supporting the growth of the AHK brand by pushing boundaries and ensuring the services we provide are world-class in every aspect.

SHRISTI GHOSH – 24
TECHNICAL GRADUATE
TECHNICAL TEAM (UK)

MY ROLE AT ALFRED H KNIGHT:

I am presently working as a material science researcher for a project at Alfred H Knight. With a background in chemical engineering and advanced materials for aerospace, I wanted an understanding of the metallurgical sector and the AHK Graduate program provides exactly that.

HOW HAS ALFRED H KNIGHT SUPPORTED YOU IN YOUR ROLE?

Having joined the company with around 6 other graduates, we all had the support we needed to settle into a new city. Having a community of graduates who are all connected really helped since a bunch of us have moved countries apart.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR ROLE?

Personally, the most exciting aspect has been making connections across different cultures. The role provides me with the opportunity to be a part of a globalised workforce and travel to various parts of the world.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN YOUR FUTURE CAREER AT ALFRED H KNIGHT?

I am really looking forward to developing my relationship with my project partners. They are all from esteemed institutions and seem like really knowledgeable people!

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT OUR APPRENTICESHIPS AND GRADUATE PROGRAMMES?

If you are interested in joining a company that is committed to developing its people, head to our apprenticeships page or graduates page for more information and current vacancies.