Engineering Apprentice Review

CAD technician apprentice, so far I have been working on projects to design and develop different mechanisms and systems. Receiving support from managers but mostly being left to develop solutions independently. Currently I am also SHE support to the engineering functional manager, so I attend meetings and assist in any way for the application of SHE in the engineering department.

Through several of my placements I have been able to improve on my confidence and public speaking, I have gained qualifications such as PEO, and I am currently working towards a L3 qualification in Engineering. Within the company I have received training in how to bring about a SHE culture, contractor management and I am midway through an IOSH managing safely course.

I enjoy doing what I'm doing, The work is challenging in all the right ways and the support is generally there to allow me to learn whilst doing the job. There is a community feel between apprentices, which means I have people I can ask things and bounce ideas off.

I feel valued within the apprentice community, every year we have an apprentice evening in which different apprentices receive awards for 'apprentice of the year' etc, which is motivating and makes us feel valued.

I feel I have input on which placements I am put on, which has allowed me to steer towards the areas that I am interested in. Training is good and mostly relevant to what I am doing at work. I have a mentor with which I am able to raise any concerns with, it has been helpful to have him as he has been able to advise me on different situations and guide me towards good placements. I am aware that as nobody has yet completed the engineering apprenticeship, there is a lot of uncertainty over whether there is a job at the end of the apprenticeship, or generally what will happen to us at that point.

Training provider is generally helpful. we have someone from the college that comes to visit the site every couple of months and checks in with us. the tutors at the college seem to be very focussed on just getting people pass marks rather than focussing on aiming higher.

The manager is very supportive and encouraging and very much seems to be focussed on what is best for me. Some of the other employees have been less supportive of us, which is understandable as at the end of the day they have their own job to do and having apprentices can slow them down if they have to support you. We have team meetings with the apprentices and their manager in which we are able to voice any concerns.

Very happy with salary. As I live at home my living costs aren't too high, so the income I am receiving is able to cover my travel costs and the costs of daily life easily and allowing me to save.

I am a stem ambassador through work and because of this have been able to be involved in STEM events working with children and young adults in the local community.

Yes

I feel this is a good environment to be learning in, and a good community to join as someone my age.

Don't be nervous in the interviews, the interviewers want to see you succeed and see the best side of you, so be confident and show that side. It's helpful to bring materials along with you such as a relevant project that you did in the past, as this sets you apart and makes your interview memorable and stands out from others. Take the time to research the company and look at recent news as it shows that you take an interest.