Design Engineering Technical Apprentice Review

My job title is Design Engineering Technical Apprentice. As part of my apprenticeship I am currently partaking in 3 month long placement rotations so tasks vary. So far my daily tasks have included design, testing, documentation and writing software. Interally I am in contact with my placement supervisor and other people within that department but also other workers from different departments within the same project. I also communicate regularly with my apprentice managers. One of my projects has been to design an interlock module test box. This box would ultimately be used to test a PCB module. For this project i had to design, test, build and procure all the material.

So far through my apprenticeship i have gained my Performing Engineering Operations Qualification at college and I am currently working towards my HND. Internally I have been attending awareness sessions in order to better my understanding of different departments within the company. So far, i have learned many practical skills while at college such as soldering and wiring cables. I have also learned professional skills such as communication and teamwork throughout my rotations.

I thoroughly enjoy my work and feel like i am constantly kept busy day to day. I really enjoy working with different teams through my departmental rotations as this lets me meet a variety of people and gain a wide range of knowledge. Everyone within the company is really helpful and easy to talk to. My programme exceeds my expectations and i continue to enjoy it more every day.

Within Leonardo i feel very heavily involved and therefore valued. There is the opportunity for volunteering for different tasks such as helping out promote the apprenticeship at local schools. Everything you do within the company is recognised.

For the induction we received two and a half days before going to college full time for 5 months then 2 weeks when we came back before starting rotations. I feel these presentations were well structured and carried out but feel like they last forever. I would like to see them more split up. Support is widely accessible within the company and everyone is willing to give up a bit of their time for you. Studying can be done at the placement manager’s discretion but they are usually more than happy for you to take 1/2 hours out the day to study for college. Before you go off to college full time you get assigned a "buddy" who is usually an older apprentice. I would like to see this more heavily implemented in order to provide more support if necessary at the start. I feel like task delegation is good and any tasks the departmental supervisor sees fit for you, you will receive.

Support is widely accessibly through the apprentice manager team and they are always ready to guide you through any problems or support you need.

From the employer the support is incredible. The apprentice team are always on hand if there is a problem and are more than happy to help, you can speak to them about anything.

The salary meets my costs and is increased every year with additional pay increase reviews throughout.

Outside of work there are many opportunities. As an apprentice you are expected to get involved with volunteering and i try my best to do so. There are many groups within the company who partake in different events outside of work such as hill climbing.

Yes

Leonardo is a great place to work and the opportunities are endless.

Concentrate as best you can on the online test as they are very tough. Prepare for interviews and assessment days. Read up about the company as much as you can prior to interviews/assessment days. The opportunities are endless in a company like this so always keep that in mind.