Higher Engineering Apprentice - Systems and Development Engineering Review

I am doing a Higher Apprenticeship in Mechanical Engineering and I am aligned to Systems and Development Engineering. The first year at rolls is spent in the training workshop learning skills such as sheet metal work, machining and assembly. After that you can move out into the business and start placements. Collage where we do the Foundation Degree in Integrated Engineering is one week in every three. I am a member of the Apprenticeship Council and this gives me the opportunity to meet and network with older apprentices who give invaluable advice and are always willing to help if they can. Overall the Apprenticeship is fantastic and I have no doubt that this is a much better route to take over University if you are looking to get into engineering. The experiences and skills gained during an apprenticeship will always stay with you and help throughout your career. The only downside I have is that the first year of training is very like being at school as you are in a classroom environment.

The engineering skills learnt are invaluable and will always come in useful in some form or another. The degree gives you the insight into how the business runs and is managed financially as well as other keys skills such as programming, learning about manufacturing processes and project management.

Very much so, definitely the right career choice for engineering. Uni is not worth the 9 grand that it costs for the amount of contact time you get in my opinion.

Currently I feel like I am not contributing to the system because I am only in training but once placements start I will be able to see how my work is valued and making a difference.

The organisation of the apprenticeship is good but there are areas it could be improved. A lack of communication between collage and RR has lead to some confusion of the collage weeks but it hasn't been a problem.

Not a great deal, we only have contact with the collage staff one week in every three and since our course is run by a university but not run at the university it is difficult to make use of the support and information available to other uni students.

Support is always available from loads of different people and my ADL is especially helpful when it comes to this.

My salary just covers about covers me for living but I am unable to see my family often due to the fuel costs to drive home which is a 3.5hour journey. I am unable to see friends as much as I would like for the same reason.

There are many different clubs and organisations that are available for you to join. The AGA runs activities on a weekly basis for apprentices and graduates such as go-karting, paintballing, nights out and ski trips.

Yes

Great experience with great people and I've only been in the apprenticeship for 7 months but I am already changed for the better because of it.

Nail the technical interview, know your way around a gas turbine and look at team skills.