Engineering Higher Apprentice Review

Helping with the projects occurring in the department I am on placement in. Currently that involves going on ship to fault find, test and commission with other members of the team. I regularly interact with other members of the department as well as the other departments they work with.

I've become much more confident in my abilities, and have had the opportunity to take part in business development training. I have also had a chance to do team leading courses, as well as courses associated with STEM events. There has also been health and safety courses (working at height, confined spaces, manual handling, COSHH, etc)

I enjoy the wide choice of placements we get to do, and the variety of experiences and contacts that allows us to make. I feel I have got on well with all the departments I've worked with so far, and have largely enjoyed the work I have done. I'm very happy with my choice of company and course.

I am involved with projects that are an important part of the life of the company, and often get to see the results in action. There is internal recognition for the effort that is put in, both for our placements and for additional assignments that we take on.

We had a full induction in the first week, and a well planned training and studying schedule. We have meetings with our managers every 12 weeks to ensure we are on track and have targets to aim for before the next meeting. We get the option to have a mentor from a higher year. which most people have taken up, and then the opportunity to become a mentor when we have progressed further. We met all our apprenticeship managers and have had their roles and responsibilities explained to us.

We were not provided with a tutor in our first year at college, but this has been rectified for our second year. Most lecturers are happy to give additional help when requested.

All the placement managers I've had so far have been supportive both in the workplace and of the work that I have to complete for my NVQ. My apprenticeship manager is always available for support when required, and is more than happy to give any guidance needed. The company also provides additional support for any non work related problems.

My salary covers all my living costs, as well as enough to socialise and run a car. I live close to work so my travelling costs are low, and we get back the cost of travel to college on expenses.

We get lots of opportunities to be involved in STEM events in local schools, apprenticeship councils, and challenges that are both internal and external. There is access to gym facilities and all other events that happen on site, including families day for us to bring friends and relatives to see what we work on.

Yes

As an employer they have treated me well and the training we get is very thorough.

The application process takes a long time, and make sure you proof read your CV thoroughly. Try to relax and be yourself on assessment days and enjoy it as much as you can.