Higher Manufacturing Engineering Apprentice Review

The apprenticeship is a Higher Manufacturing Engineering Apprenticeship. As it is my first year in the role I am being trained in a specialist training center. As an Engineer I am currently learning machining skills, although this will not be my role in the business. It broadens my knowledge on machining so that I will fully understand others roles when going into the business. It also allows me to gain knowledge on subject which will prove useful in the future. My team has weekly meeting, where we change roles every week such as meeting champion, H&S and communications champion. The main project I have contributed to is creating a CNC Tooling Database for on of the instructors

I have learnt how to turn metal using lathes, mill, weld, sheet metal processes, CNC programming, electronics and CAD. I am completing a foundation degree at Derby University for Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering. I have also completed a number of MyLearning courses online, which the company have aligned me to. These consist of H&S courses as well as instructor led courses such as manual handing

I am thoroughly enjoying my higher apprenticeship so far. I find that the on the job training is best suited to my kinaesthetic learning technique. . All the instructors are extremely friendly and easy to get on with. they are there to aid my learning and push me to the best of my abilities. I am very glad that I have chosen the path that I have

So far I feel extremely valued due to the amount of respect that I have been shown, even though I only have A-levels. I think all the instructors and my managers believe in me and all the other apprentices. also the fact that Rolls-Royce invest so much money in each apprentice just shows how much they value the apprentices

At the beginning of the year the organisation of the programme was not at its best, however with some rearranging the programme has been set out well. The visual representation of the programme has aided myself and others in understanding how to organise myself and my schedule for the forthcoming weeks.

When moving sections in the workshop, each instructor makes an effort to help myself and others when struggling. They also go out of their way to make sure that you are reaching your full learning potential on their section. I have enjoyed working with each instructor I have had train myself so far

If I encounter a problem I know that I can talk to my apprentice development leader as well as other ADLs that specialise in certain problems such as bullying or any ethnic bullying. I have not encountered any others problems so far but I know that the help is there if I need it

The salary I am currently on is very liveable. Not much saving come from it but pay rises will occur in the future when certain targets have been met. I aim to hit these targets before the dates they are due. The salary will be very liveable when these targets are met and savings will be achieved

Many opportunities are available. at the moment people are applying for a German exchange programme with Rolls-Royce. I am not able to apply this year due to training. I will be most definitely applying next year. ADLs can also ask apprentices to contribute to careers fairs. I would like to contribute to these in the future.

Yes

Rolls-Royce has incredible opportunities for young people. The on the job training proves very successful for those who then go into the business and then obtain a job. I believe that this is the best career choice for myself and would be for many other people who aspire to be a trained engineer in a very successful business.

Make sure you are very enthusiastic, make sure the interviewers know how much you want the job. It is important to show your intelligence but personality is also key when going through the interview process. you must show the interviewers that you would work very well in a team with others when put under pressure as well as a relaxed environment. also if you get the job, be very organised with your work and know you will have quite a hefty workload with being at university as well as working 4 days a week.