Engineering Higher Apprentice Review

After your first year of training, you start working in the business. You work in a different business area every 12-15 weeks, where you work in the business depends on your type of apprenticeship. Your day-to-day activities vary everyday. My first experience was working within the Trent XWB project (that powers the Airbus A350) for ThermoFluids looking specifically at the internal air system. With this role being within a project, the role you did that day depended on what has been happening in service or in development. I sort of jobs I has were updating air system models and also looking into bearing load control factors. Another role I have had in working within the Trent 1000-TEN (Boeing 787-10) and Trent 7000 (Airbus A330neo) programmes for compressors. Both are still in the development stage so there is alot testing happening everyday. The sort jobs include test/build/strip support and also specing hareware for future development engines.

The one stand out skill that you learn to develop is communication. Communication is key because during your role/job you are not going to know everying you need to know to complete the task. Therefore, you must communicate to those who do know and vise versa. Self investigation into an issue is also encouraged, you learn how to think about a problem/issue systematically, that way you can remember the process/skill for the future. There are loads of hand machining skills/manufacturing skill you learn in the first year whilst in the workshop whilst hold you in a good place when you go into the business.

The teams that I have had the pleasure to work with so far, have been fantastic! There is a 'can-do' attitude in the office environment that helps you work better. The programme itself is hard work, with university work and NVQ work needed to be completed, it often requires many hours of work at home during the week and weekends.

Being valued by your manager/company is not a given thing, you first have to prove yourself to be a committed and driven individual. But once you have shown them what you are capable of, they make you feel equal to the other memebers of the team. You are involved in all the tasks that go on in your team and you never feel that things are hidden from you.

There is a clear structure to your programme from the moment you first join. When it comes to placements in the business, there is a set plan, however you can have say in where you want to go if you think it would be beneficial. We have a meeting with our Apprentice Development Leader (ADL) every 12 weeks, where they will go through your progress and any concern that you have with your work or study.

The training provider is very welcoming to any concerns that you may have. Whether this be with the training that is being provided or your personal worries about your own progress. There are also dedicated support staff you help with your studies.

The support from the company is very good. You never feel that you are on your own if you have any problems and any issues that you do have are taken seriously. I have had brilliant support from my business managers with regards to career advice and technical support for uni work. Rolls-Royce want to help you be at your best.

Fair. You will find higher paying companies. However, the pay progression through your appenticeship is good and expenses are paid for if you work away from your usual place of work, but expenses are not paid for travel to and from uni/college as this is classed as your usual place of work. There is free on-site car parking at the Derby sites. There is also the cycle-to-work scheme that you are entiled to. In addition, Derby has one of the lowest living cost in the Country so there is normally a little left at the end of the month.

There is loads going on all the time! There is the Rolls-Royce Leisure, which offers lots of different activities from sporting teams, choirs, bass band, running club etc. As appentice, you also become a STEM ambassador, where at least once a year you help with a STEM event that could be at a national event or in a local school. The RR Heritage Trust also organise talks interesting talks about future/past aero technology, breaking the sound barrier, space travel etc.

Yes

If you are interested in the lastest technology and passionate about what we do, you will experience a job/role and have access to technology like no other!

Do lots of preparation, be honest, show how passionate you are. Get involved in activites that show both team work and individual excellence. Try to get involved in an engineering/technology activity. Check your grammar and spelling of your online application (get the basics right!). At the assessment day, be ralxed and most importantly, be yourself.