Engineering Apprentice Review

I am a third-year engineering plant technician apprentice working for Nestlé UK in the York food manufacturing confectionary factory. I currently work in our KitKat 4 department which produces KitKat 4-Finger, Chunky, & 11-Finger bars including variants of milk, dark, and white following on from my two previous years where I was based in the central maintenance workshops which acts as a factory wide support facility and the Polo Mint department which produces Spearmint, Peppermint and Sugar Free Polo mints.

As an apprentice based in the different manufacturing departments on the York site my role is to learn as much as possible from the experienced engineers currently working on plant and also get involved in localised projects to better my understanding of how improvements are made to the manufacturing process. The skills I have learnt and developed include a range of engineering techniques including machine work, fitting/filing, process engineering, fluid dynamics, confectionary science, proactive maintenance techniques, and electrical safety/installation/maintenance.

The programme that the Nestle York apprenticeship is structured around is extremely good and well organised. It allows you to balance college work with on the job tasks and learn considerable amounts of technical engineering knowledge from varying points in the food manufacturing process from raw product to finished goods. The engineering team is very supportive and ensures that they pass on their knowledge with the goal of producing an apprentice that is confident to take on the same role when you are out of your time as an apprentice. The work culture is also positive and everyone supports each other where necessary.

I believe that the projects I have been involved in have brought much value to the company allowing new methods of working to be trialled and tested to achieve a better outcome. I also believe that the tasks I am involved in on a daily basis add value to the factory and I am recognised for such achievements which is great encouragement to work on future initiatives.

Due to the fact that the York apprenticeship has been run for quite a while, the majority of issues have been resolved over the years to produce a tailored and well structured scheme. Myself and other apprentices working for Nestle York know exactly the apprenticeship development path ahead which allows you to plan for the future well.

I receive more than adequate support from the chosen training provider in that an assessor visits on a regular basis to ensure that I am on track to achieve my targets. I also get good support from the college tutors who will go out of their way to help me achieve my level 3 diploma.

I have full support from Nestle in that I am pushed to achieve my goals and build a solid and successful engineering career. My manager will support me to work on projects and the team are always on hand to offer experienced advice on how to produce a successful outcome. Any problems that I encounter are always dealt with extremely well and there is plenty of support available.

The salary is appropriate to my living costs and in addition, allows me to enjoy social activities including holidays abroad, eating/drinking out, and a nice car. There is no issue with the amount I earn which allows me to also put part aside to save up for a house deposit.

Nestle being so supportive and large manages to organise plenty of events outside of work including social charity fundraising events, training experiences, local community voluntary work, and awards events to celebrate internal staff achievements. Nestle also offers discounts off sport/spa club memberships and other social activities which is great for relaxing when not at work.

Yes

The apprenticeship is ideal for anyone wishing to get a well rounded experience of food manufacturing engineering and develop skills from experienced engineers who will support you extremely well. It is also a great opportunity to start a career in a big company such as Nestle which has international links for developing your future.

Ensure that you have a good interest in engineering and can show how your experiences have influenced this. Apply with a positive attitude and show confidence in your ability to work in a factory environment amongst adults who you will learn a great deal from.