Apprentice Review

I'm currently in my final placement within the Hardware engineering department (4th Year Apprentice). In my daily tasks I work on a wide range of things such as design/prototyping work which involves me creating circuit diagrams, schematics, BOMS and wiring diagrams. There is also the hands on side to the job which I could be making cable assemblies, soldering PCBs or building test equipment. Since I'm in the Hardware Test department I also am involved in performing safety tests on test gear i.e. using a multimeter to check that equipment has the correct continuity or using an earth bond tester to ensure that equipment is correctly grounded. Project I have worked for in my current department are Captor, Osprey, Vixen and Seaspray.

I have learnt how to solder correctly. I have learnt how to use a wide variety of test equipment. I have learnt how to read and use a circuit diagram. I have been on the following training courses: RF awareness, Foreign Object Debris, Vector Network Analyser training course.

I enjoy the apprenticeship programme as the work is varied and its gives you a 3 month experience in a variety of different departments within the company. This helps me to understand how the business operates but also helps to see what sort of work I enjoy doing. The company have been very supportive in terms of supplying us with all the equipment we will need for our day to day tasks. Due to all these reasons the apprenticeship programme has exceeded my expectations as I've managed to get the placement which I wanted to work in and being able to start work between 07:00-10:00 and finish from 15:00-19:30 makes the workplace very flexible.

Overall I feel like I am valued by the company. This Is because we have monthly meetings with our manager to discuss any issues that we are having in which he will take them on board. He also has given us his mobile number so it is easy to get in touch with him when you are away from your desk or need to get in touch with him when you are outside of work. The company also have external events outside of the company such as a ceilidh which allows people within the company to go out and enjoy themselves. Usually their is a presentation which highlights our achievements as a company and how valued all the staff are at Finmeccanica.

Overall the structure of the programme is very detailed which is good. For example everyone in the apprenticeship programme has an induction which tells them what the company does, core hours to work etc. The training for the programme is also very good in terms that it covers a wide set of skills within the company. I.e. you could be undergoing cryogenic safety courses, foreign object debris courses. Health and safety courses to general training on the job. All apprentices also go to college which results them getting a HND in engineering systems at the end of your 4th Year. This is also a benefit as we are learning new skills at college and getting paid for it by the company. The apprenticeship programme is very supportive in terms of your needs, you can speak to your apprenticeship manager and he will sort things out for you hassle free or give you some advice. The only issue with the apprenticeship programme is the changing of templates for evidence logs for the SVQ folder. Since I have joined the company the template has changed 3 times which is a nuisance in terms of having to re-arrange a significant number of logs to the new standard.

The training provider offers great support in my apprenticeship this includes monthly meetings with my manager to discuss any issues I'm having with the apprenticeship programme.

The employer offers great support in my apprenticeship as I have had no issues at all in my 4 years of the apprenticeship. If I have an issue it is made clear to me to speak to my apprenticeship manager or supervisor and they will sort it out.

The salary for the apprenticeship overall is very good. My salary gives me a good living cost which allows me to run a car to work on a daily basis but also go out at the weekends and enjoy myself. My salary also allows me to go on holiday atleast once a year.

There are a few company events outside of work which are great in terms of socialising with personnel from different parts of the business. Furthermore in the Edinburgh site we get a free Edinburgh leisure gym pass which allows me to use the gym on a regular basis free of charge.

Yes

Finmeccanica have gave/developed a wide set of my skills and have improved my confidence within the workplace as it can be nervous making the transition from school to the workplace.

When applying to the company take in mind that there is a large variety of different internal workplaces so there will always be something you enjoy. Generally read about the company and understand what we do here at the site.