Apprentice Maintenance Technician Review

Day to day work can be completely different from one day to next as we juggle the different workloads. One day can be completely classroom based as we develop our vital theoretical knowledge in BTEC qualifications and in contrast one day could be entirely workshop based, developing our 'hands on' skills which will be very important to our future careers.

During my NVQ work I have completed several units which have greatly developed my knowledge of conducting maintenance activities and the relevant basic craft skills to help complete all of these tasks.

I feel that the main reason behind my enjoyment of this is the challenging nature of the workload. The workload of this programme can entail both individual and team efforts which can be vital for the company to function as effectively as it does.

As an apprentice I feel very appreciated by EDF due to the comments from my coordinator whenever I make an extra effort at work as it provides positive reinforcement and increases the morale and motivation for all apprentices.

From the beginning of this programme you could tell the structure was well worked. An ice breaker visit to the Lake District was a great way to meet everyone and ensure that when we relocated that we would settle quickly and be able to get straight into work. All work on this course has been carried out in a structured order so we can use fundamental skills in the more complex tasks throughout the programme.

Babcock engineering academy provides the main training for my programme. The support they provide is outstanding as they have never failed to assist me with my understanding and development of skills. Other than for training purposes they can offer a wide variety of personal support for issues such as problems at home.

From my employer, I mainly have contact with my co-ordinator or supervisor who I have contact with mainly via email. This allows us to ask each other for any details we need and then to schedule time off.

Considering we have accommodation and meals included as part of our course, the salary we receive is very generous compared to other apprentices in similar fields. On top of this we also get free transport home from our training every month to see our families which is a great support from EDF.

Outside of work, there is access to many facilities when relocated. These include various sporting facilities such as football pitches, gyms, weights rooms, swimming pools, squash courts and many more, all free to use. Other than that there is several social locations to watch movies, play ping pong, have quiz nights and other activities which are great for passing time with. The most notable opportunities are the work trips to Budapest, Berlin and Lyon. These are amazing chances to see the different cultures of the countries and become a much better rounded person.

Yes

I would recommend this programme to anyone because even though I have only been on this course for less than a year, I already feel that it has offered me with so many opportunities that I would never have experienced otherwise and that the training I am being provided with, will lead me to a promising career upon completion.

The advice I would give to anyone applying for this programme is to schedule an appointment at the visitors centre of your local station and get a quick presentation on how the plant works as there is lots of valuable information that can be gained from this which you can use in an interview.