Apprentice Technician Review

On a daily basis I work within the Mechanical Maintenance team within Hinkley Point B Power Station. My daily jobs can alternate between working on valves you can lift with one hand to pumps bigger than myself! I get to work on a wide range of equipment.

I have done both, prior to the apprenticeship I attended college and worked within engineering. I also completed and engineering GCSE. I have extended the skills these oppotunities presented me with and I have also learnt new skills within my apprenticeship.

I have really enjoyed my apprenticeship, the set up the company has of nationwide apprentices attending a training base in Gosport gives you a great opportunity to make new friends with people from across the UK and learn new cultures across Europe with the life skills trips available!

We often hear from persons in management not just on the station but further up within the company. Most of these people once completed an apprenticeship within the same industry and have made it high up within the comany. This gives you a drive to go on and acheive.

We have a lot of support staff and therefore the programme is organised well. Once at the training school there is a clear workplan to cover off over the first two years and set objects to acheive when you return to site to complete the remaining two years of the apprenticeship.

Whilst at the base there is a vast number of tutors all with engineering backgrounds which have led them into teaching. They're always willing to help with work related issues. There is also staff to help with the fact youre living away from home sometimes from as young as 16.

A tremondous amount! They is always someone on had within the company when we need them and if they cant help they will point you towards somone who can.

As I live locally to the powerstation my wage exceeds my costs. I earn a great salary which rivals full time jobs and im only a 3rd year apprentice! my wage will rise into the fourth year then up again upon qualificaton.

As a local person i know of loads of oppourtunities within my community, with good transport links to bristol and onwards to london, cardiff etc the world is my oyster so to speak!

Yes

Fantastic company to work for with fantastic people within. There is a good working attitude on site people actually ejoy going to work and you dont get that in many places!

Don't give up. It took me to apply twice to get the apprenticeship, the first time I was unsuccesful but I went away, came back and applied again and got it second time round. The initial disappointment of failing to get the apprenticeship turned into a great opportunity to go out gain experience and work in a different enviroment which has made me value the company even more as its a far better place to work!