Test And Commissioning (DTO)- Electrical Review

My role as a test and commissioning Electrical Apprentice is to test and inspect systems on submarines after operations have installed and carried out the work on the equipment/ cables at hand. If the inspection and tests pass the system will be started up and then tested and ran further; recording results in test forms.

Yes, my job roles acitvities allow me to work across all aspects of the boat. Therefore making my knowledge of the boats I am working on widen and increase everyday I come to work. At the same time I feel as though skills I have developed prior to working here are being lost as I do not use them. For example team leading and presenting skills.

I enjoy this programme very much and currently like the test section I am working on. I think that the opportunities that will open up to me when I come out of my apprenticeship is a very exciting prospect.

When I first came into the ship yard I felt as though the communication between my managers/ supervisors and the wider ship yard was very limited. I raised this issue and held a meeting which seems to of resolved this issue. I am now mostly told about things that are going on and any extra curriculum acitvities I can take part in. Although I have only taken part in one I am eager to get invovled in as much as possible.

In my own opinion I think that the way my programme is strucuted could be altered in some aspects. Firstly there are only a handful of test and commissioning apprentices inlcuding myself. This means that there is no real structured programme for us. We do the same as the electrical trade then a specific commissioning underpinning knowledge question set. I think that the communication between me and my learning and development managers could be improved.

When I first came into the shipyard I wasn't introduced or told who my training provider was. Having said this I now know and I am aware that if there is any additional support I need with regards to my college, it will be made available to me. The college liaison communication in the first year of my apprenticeship was very efficient.

Within my test section there are people I know I can go to who will support me. This however hasn't always been the case wit other test sections.

I have no complaints with the salary I am currently on. The pension and shares schemes are very good and the pay for my age is also very good. However for the employees who are apprentices and older, this opinion might differ.

Currently I have only taken part in one extra curriculum acitvity. I do regularly ask if there is anything happening but there is never an oppurtunity to do much outside of work from my experience. I am eager to get involved and wish there was some other things apprentices could get inovled in.

Yes

The opportunities available at this shipyard are very good. If you work hard mostly you are rewarded and recognised. From personal experience it's hard to get a job here if you are from outside of the area but overall think this apprenticeship is very good. Also not many people can say they test systems on Nuclear Submarines!

If I was going to give advice to people applying to work here I would first suggest to make sure you include lots of detail in your application with regards to your aspirations and if you are lucky enough to get a job here, get stuck in as you will get more out of your days at work!