Parts Quality Technician Review

I am a parts quality apprentice at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars ltd, focusing on the powertrain and dynamics. I find out why problems have occured with parts involved with the powertrain and driving dynamics, contacting/charging/returning-parts-to suppliers etc.

I will have an HNC level 4 once I have completed the apprenticeship which is a great qulification to have. However, along the way I have been picking up various other qualifications and skills in a variety of engineering procedures such as: welding, car mechanics, bench fitting etc. The qualifications have taught me lots of specific engineering skills but also a lot of skills that I can apply to a wide range of tasks that I may come across in life.

The thing I really love most about my role and programme is the fact that I am training to be a key role in such a large company. I like the fact that I am part of such a well set-up work team with key aspects of work very similar to ones that I already had. I like the efficiency of the work that is carried out at Rolls-Royce and the clean, fast attitude of work.

I feel that my manager makes a lot of effort to keep me involved with the work even when the department is flat out which I'm really appreciative of. I think that the other memebers of the department are very kind and open to me being an unexperienced, new member of the team and have done a great job of helping me learn and making me feel welcome.

When at work I feel that the job role I signed up for is the exact role that I have been given which I really am happy about as I'm doing what I wanted to do with very little differences. I feel that quite a lot of the time I do feel forgotten about as we do spend the majority of our first year at college with occasional weekly/fortnightly visits to the plant which I'm a little gutted about. That said, when we are here there is plenty to do and it reminds me of the great role I have.

The tutors on my course are all very clever people whilst still having a great ability to convey this knowledge to us in the simplest ways possible. I have not yet needed any support but I know that support is never far away. If there are any issues that I want help with, no one is ever far away to help and are always very helpful.

Myself and the other boys on my course do spend about 90%, maybe more, of our time in the first year at college which makes it difficult to really see what is happening at the plant and we do lose touch with people there but that is only to be expected when wew spend so much time away. That all said, whenever I have emailed or phoned for some advice or support, I have been helped very quickly and well.

Now I have turned 18 and started driving, my costs have risen by a rather large amount compared to when I first started the apprenticeship so the ratio has lowered but I can still afford to go out occassionally and buy the odd big thing or two which is good.

There are always emails getting sent round within work, offering special events and experiences for the employees to get involved with which is really good because it can bring the team closer together on a more social level. I also like that RR give their employees special discounts at various places like gyms, restaurants and shops to encourage going out.

Yes

I had an apprenticeship at another company in the year before this apprenticeship and I could not stand it, to the point where I didn't even think I was ready for the working life at all. Upon being recruited by RR, my attitude for work has rocketed, I'm happier, I'm excited to get to work and see what is thrown at me for the day (that is metaphorical!!!). Its such an exciting company to be part of and I'm proud to say I work for them.

In the application and interviewing process I don't think you should be afraid to big yourself up and show your talents to a company so excellent. I'm not saying you should be overly-confident but I do think you should express what you're good at as much as possible to set yourself aside from the other applicants. I also think that attitude and ploteness plays an enormous role, this should definitely be remembered.