Techinican Review

When i was in my apprenticeship, on a day-to-day basis i would go in to my department of that time and shadow an engineer. I would ask questions on any breakdown we went on and i would get hands on experience while with a fully qualified engineer. I would have a log book which i would fill out when i completed each job, if i was on my own or with an engineer. I moved departments every 9 months so i got a taste of all aspects of the job.

I have learnt a range of skills, from welding to soldering. You learn how to problem solve using the correct tools at Nestle. We use certain paperwork and structures to get to the root cause of a problem. I have developed on existing skills aswell for example i have got a lot more experience on computers and fault finding using PLC programming.

I really enjoyed my apprenticeship, i was 1 of 4 apprentices taken on in my year group and i have got to know the other 3 really well. I loved the training we have been put through and the people i have got to know during my time. WE spent a lot of time at college in my first year which i met new friends and we came to work in out half terms which i got to learn a lot on the job rather than being in a classroom.

I feel very valued at Nestle. We have a reward system here and everything you do above and beyond gets recognised and you get points given to you which you can spend on the rewards website. I also won apprentice of the year across Nestle UK, which made me feel really valued and i felt my work has been noticed. If you put the work in you will always get appreciated.

My programme was very well organised and i feel it has made me a lot more confident in my work and i feel my skills have improved massively. We move around departments every 9 months so we get a taste of each part of the process here at Nestlé. we had college so we got the qualifications we needed but we also had in-house training here at Nestlé so we could improve our skills or find new skills which we wouldnt learn at college. the in-house training was very structured and organised and i always found myself learning a lot more from this training than i did at college.

I recieved a lot of support from all my training providers. If we felt we had a gap in our training or we needed a more detailed class then we would tell our training mentors/providers and we would be booked on to the next availiable course. They would arrange for in-house training for all of our gaps in knowledge and skills. If i was struggling with anything on the shop floor they were always there to turn to and ask for help. They are fair and really do care about us apprentices progressing through Nestlé.

I recieve massive support from my employer. They are very flexible and understanding to your home life. Also they will always put your training first and make sure you are exposed to as many breakdowns/maintenance work possible so you get a true feel for the job. By doing this we also get to strengthen our skills in engineering and broaden our knowledge.

The apprentice salary at Nestlé is one of the best i know in my area. I cant talk for other areas as i dont know the slaries but here in staffordshire/derbyshire it is one of the best in the area. Your starting salary will be aroun £11,500 and it goes up to around £25,000 in your last year and then if you get taken on you will be on the full engineers wage. This meets my costs especially now that i have been taken on. I get paid enough to afford my own house and have a good social life.

Outside of work we went on team bonding sessions and we have monthly apprenticeship meetings which we all come together and talk about how we feel the apprenticeship is going. I also arranged for the Dalston Nestlé apprentices to come down to Tutbury and get to see our site and the differences in our apprenticeships and differences in factories. We also went out bowling in the night time and got to know one anotheroutside of work.

Yes

I believe/feel this company is the best in the area for looking after its employees. I enjoy coming to work and i believe it has one of the best pension schemes in the area. So you can work for Nestlé long term and know you will be looked after at the end of your career.

I would tell them to research the company and get to know what the comapny is like before applying and if you feel it is a company you want to work at then apply. I would also tell them to read through other apprenticehips in and around Nestlé and compare them dont jump into any apprenticehip make sure it is the right one for you. I am sure Nestlé will be for you !!!