Apprentice Mechanical Technician Review

I am a mechanical technician apprentice starting in 2014 and it's a 4 year apprenticeship. I learn how to fix mechanical objects that I might need to fix on site, as well as learning in classroom based skills

Yes, I have learned a lot of academic skills and I have had the experience to work with different products and objects

I enjoy working with machines, learning lots of mechanical techniques and meeting new people. We work away from home (in Portsmouth) for the first 2 years of the apprenticeship and it is a huge learning curve for us. This is a great way to start a job

Yes. I am unbelievably lucky and I have had a great amount of opportunities and chances to succeed

We are taught for the first 2 years in Portsmouth by Babcock Engineering Academy. It is okay, the structure could be improved but the tutors are brilliant.

Support is high. If we need anything - academic or other then they will help with no problems. They are highly skilled

High amounts. Anything I need I know I can ask for and I have gained so much in a short space of time

We are given so much chances to improve ourselves, they pay for a lot in our first 2 years of the apprenticeship. We are very lucky. We get a great wage too

I have been involved with a lot outside of work whilst in the first 2 years in Portsmouth. These include french lessons, driving lessons, horse riding in the local area, skydiving, steam wagon clubs and much more. EDF Energy push us to do so much

Yes

I have had a lot of brilliant experiences whilst on this apprenticeship and I am in a great place at the end of the apprenticeship to have an amazing career.

Have an open mind, be honest and confident! Try your best, not everyone gets the apprenticeship on the first go - I didn't.