3rd Year Higher Engineering Apprentice - Development Review

Development Engineering Higher apprentice. As a development apprentice I work on all of the new engine projects and help to certify the hardware so that they are able to be tested and put into production. I have to speak with lots of different departments, from design, to test. I also get to go down to the build line and look at all the parts to get a better understanding of what I'm working on. I am responsible for delivering multiple reports which analyse new design ideas. In my current attachment I write codes to instruct the engine to run to different values, and test them to ensure they are working as intended.

I have achieved my NVQ level 2, a foundation degree in integrated engineering, and I am currently working towards my NVQ level 4 and a BEng in Mechanical Engineering. There are a lot of company courses to go on, some of the most interesting explain engine performance. The most well used skills are talking to different people on different levels, and being able to take on multiple pieces of work and deliver them on tie with improved time management skills.

The work I do is very interesting and rewarding. Many teams I have worked in have been very appreciative of my help, and have given me a lot of their time so that I am able to learn as much as possible during my attachments. The culture of the company is high performing and promotes employees to be kind and considerate to others. My work has surpassed my expectations, and has made me realise that university really wasn't the path for me.

Apprentices and the work they are trusted to produce is a large part of job satisfaction. I work on real jobs and solve current problems that the team I am in face on a day to day basis. Recognition of good work is very common from managers, and end of placement presentations really show how much valuable work you've completed whilst in your placement. I have been rewarded for my hard work by being invited to events and awards evenings to be the face of the company, and it makes me want to continue to do a good job.

Induction day includes a great team building residential experience for the first few days before coming back to ensure all PPE is handed out for the start of the apprenticeship the following week. This is really valuable to meet all your fellow colleagues and hear about how others experiences led them to the same place as you. The 9 months of practical training set you up with a good foundation of engineering before you come out into the business. The business placements are on average 3 months long which is a good amount of time to get competent in the role and be able to give back valuable input. The foundation degree is part time and fits in well with work being day release.

All apprentices have an ADL and business manager. The ADL (Apprentice Development Leader) monitors your general NVQ progress and ensure you're on track to complete the apprenticeship in the planned time. They are also a large support network if external factors affect how you are able to perform your job. Business managers ensure you are getting all the relevant experience to ensure you're capable to secure a full time role when you finish your apprenticeship. The Apprentice team is always keen to ensure you're ok and that you continue to progress.

My mentor was approached by myself to take the role. I meet with them every quarter, and talk about how I'm progressing within my apprenticeship and within the business. I get lots of advise as to how I can extend my social networks and learn new topics by speaking to different people. The HR team are a phone call away and can sort out all problems with pay and holidays. My manager consistently asks how I'm getting on with placements and suggest areas that may be of interest to me, or that would fill a gap in my current knowledge of the business or engineering.

I currently rent close to work and therefore do not required a car or bus to travel. Rent can be cheap or expensive depending on what type and where you want to live. I find that my wages comfortably meet my needs and I save on average about 40% of my wage each month from my salary after all costs have been taken out of the equation.

The agA (apprentice and graduate association) is run and managed y apprentices and graduates and puts on multiple events through the year. There are two charity balls where the money goes to charities close to peoples lives, and they also include an array of activities and experience days. The company leisure association has a vast array of sports teams and groups that everyone is able to join regardless of ability. The company also sponsors multiple engineering awards and regularly invites apprentices to represent the company and attend these evenings where you meet many business directors and people from other companies.

Yes

Rolls-Royce is a large company with a varied range of opportunities within and outside of the engineering sector. The multiple business sectors allow you to move around with existing knowledge and experience different teams and products. The company allows people to travel and meet many different people around the work and has a varied and diverse population of employees.

Relate any unique experiences you may have, to values Rolls-Royce may want to know about. These personal experiences, although they may not relate to engineering, show certain qualities about yourself that someone else may not necessarily show. It is also important to be yourself in the interview as it shows qualities that set you apart from everyone else, and shows that you will act differently to others in certain situations.