Mechanical Engineer Review

My role as an engineer involes dealing with all major engineering and machinery outfit during a the ships construction, tasks I can expect to encouter include working on the engines, gearboxes, stabilisers, bow thruster, weaponry, steering gear installment, line of sight and propshaft installment and the placement and bolting down of machinery such as chilled water plants, calorifiers, AVCAT plants and electrical panels.

I have learned many new skills through the college programme and with my time on site. These skills include welding, operating lathes and milling machines, manufacturing and installing pipework, maitaining mechanical equipment, disassembling and re-assembling mechanical equipment and pressure testing. I have also gained knowledge through various training courses I have attended through the work such as working at height, confined space working, legionella awareness, workshop machinery and health and safety courses.

I do quite enjoy the programme I am part of as I am interested in the work that is being carried out and enjoy the work that is being carried out. The team I work and people I have met through my apprenticesip aswell also adds to the overall enjoyment. I also enjoy being a part of the company itself as the company is held in such high regards and is a good training provider.

I'd say I am valued by BAE Systems as my wellbeing is always looked after during any job and I am always very involved in the jobs that are being carried out. I have received Mechanical Engineer apprentice of the year for my efforts during my 1st year so that itself shows that the company values me to some regard. My management team can also be said to value me to an extent as any reports I get about my progress are positive.

I feel that the organisational standard of the programme is quite poor as it wasnt until the day before I found out where to report to. The induction i reveiced was very long winded and parts of it i found unessecary once i had experience the workplace. The training i received initally in the training centre within the workplace was very poor as we were doing tasks we had already covered at college that were really just to keep us busy, personally i felt i didnt learn much from my time at the in-workplace training centre. It was only until i was actually working on the jobs on the ships i felt i gained real knowledge. Whilst i receive feedback from my mentor every 12 weeks regarding my progress i feel the standards of contact between these 12 week periods to be very poor, sometimes having to send multiple emails/texts to gain a response on a report i have written about a job.

From the staff in the college I feel the level of support is very well organised getting the answers i need on the same day at the latest and any problems i have are dealt with quickly.

The support given to me from HR, my supervisor and manager is very good, any issues i may have are dealt with quickly and the employer offers a range of other support options if they are needed. From the training mentor provided by the work i feel the level of support could be increased, whilst they have a good attitude towards helping us, the level of communication needs improved as i am often left waiting for replys and support regarding the written side of my programme.

The salary meets my costs and requirements fine.

There are plenty of opportunities such as company hosted events that I freely attend. We even have the opportunity to attent other events and host on behalf of BAE Systems to recommend the job to others if it is a job seeking event.

Yes

Good training provider, good work avalible for my trade atleast. Company held in high regard from others.

Useful to have interest in engineering and/or study engineering or hands on based subjects. The pre-assessments for the company are nothing to worry about, most highschool levels of english or maths are enough to see you through them. Be prepared to work the full day solid.