Manufacturing Apprentice Review

my role as an apprentice of 1 year is to learn the necessary skills and techniques, from my various tutors in various manufacturing departments, to achieve the qualification targets set out to me by my employer. I am also to aid production and cooperate with other employees to complete jobs set out by managers, these jobs are to be recorded by me and used in evidence of my practical skills.

Since I have completed GCSE Technology and design, I have been able to thus far develop my understanding of the use of manufacturing techniques in an industrial and professional setting. I have been able to enjoy working with experienced employees to learn new skills as well such as electronics testing.

I am fortunate enough to enjoy working with both experienced employees and past apprentices to learn new skills and forward my position and standing with new and exciting skills and techniques. I thourougly enjoy working to achieve new abilities and develop my understanding of an engineering background.

My manager is very helpful and understanding wether it's asking questions or booking leave I can rely upon him to help me and fight my corner. I feel valued by and part of the team I am placed with, including the senior and experienced members, and the members of the team who have taught me; however, I feel that there is a lack of communication between myself and the area manager, which can be an issue when arranging holidays or asking questions. Otherwise, everyone who I have met has been very pleasant and appears to be friendly and helpful, stopping to say hello and having small conversations as I find my feet withtin the company.

The induction for the program appears chaotic and unorganised, however the support and training are second to none, the overall oragnisation appears as either poor or non-existent which can be both frustrating and distressing, this i believe is caused by a lack of personal communication between the key group of stakeholders in my apprenticeship and myself.

My training provider appears intense at a glance, however he is there to help at most any weekday interval and is accessible through his phone. he is happy to guide me through thinmgs i feel unsure about and seems to be happy to support me, rather than I ignore the problem i may have.

My manager is very suppotive with any queries that I have and if he cannot answer he will direct me to someone who can, or ask for me. The HR team alway appear happy to help with any HR related issues or queries including holidays ETC. the support within the company is always nearby, be it a colleague or someone more specialised. Be it my mentor or my manager I can always rely on thier guidance and support, which they will happily deliver on request.

The apprentice Salary Within Thales is second to none and covers my living, social and travel costs to the Nth degree. my daily costs are aptly covered and I am pleased overall, my only quarrel is that we are payed on a monthly basis, which makes budgeting and predicting costs hard for a first time earner in the long run.

In my time so far in Thales i am yet to be made aware of any open societies or clubs which are regularly occuring and outside of the apprentice scheme. The only initiative I am aware of is Thales' apprentice residential experince.

Yes

I would reccomend Thales as you Get to meet great people who are always ready to help, and engage in manufacturing operations at the forefront of defence technologies worldwide. Thales is a wonderful company which lets thier apprentices do all that whilst developing thier skills and abilities throughout thier apprenticeship and beyond, such as into degree level education, with the option to diversify in carrer path from manufacturing into engineering or other.

in terms of application, honesty is the best policy, communicate clearly and effectively what the form asks and dont be afraid to add to it if you thimk it's relevant. As far as I am concerned with both aptitude and interview ,the first point is to relax, there are no trick questions or tasks designed to trip you up, and as long as you know at least something about what the job entails and can effectively communicate why you want the job and how you are better suited to the job than the next person, then you cant do badly.