Design Engineering Technical Apprentice Review

My job title is a design engineering technical apprentice. I work with my current supervisor to complete tasks for different products the company manufacture. Every 3 months I move departments in order to get a general knowledge of all the different aspects the company offers.

I have learnt many new skills by attending college one day a week and also attending awareness sessions which are lead by current employees. Also working closely with my supervisors has given me the knowledge of the types of tasks they carry out and how to perform these tasks to a high level. I also have quarterly meetings with a member of my apprenticeship team to ensure that I am meeting the targets set and if I am having any problems.

I enjoy the programme as it is set up in order for you to get a bit of experience in most of the departments. This allows you to gain a basic knowledge of these departments and allows me to make a better decision about what department I would like to end up at the end of my apprenticeship. All the other employees within the company have always got time for the apprentices as we are seen as the future of the business. The other apprentices, apprenticeship team and other employees make work an enjoyable environment.

Apprentices are valued throughout the company as we are seen as the future of the business. This is thought all the way up to the senior vice president of the company as he started off as an apprentice and knows how valuable apprentices are to the business. Apprentices are involved in many tasks throughout the company and any recognition is normally put on the UK wide company intranet.

The company has a 2 week induction into the company which involves presentations and practical tasks. Training involves attending college full time for the first 3 months of the apprenticeship and then one day a week for the remainder of the apprenticeship. I also receive internal training through awareness sessions. I have a meeting every 3 months with one of the apprenticeship team to assess how I am getting on. Also, I have regular meetings with my SVQ assessor to ensure that I am meeting my targets and not falling behind. There is also apprentice meetings which are held by the apprenticeship team to all the apprentices in order for us to know what is going on within the apprenticeship team and throughout the company.

I attend regular meetings with my SVQ assessor to go over what is needed from me in order to gain my qualification. During these meetings, targets are set and my assessor ensures that I am getting enough work in my current placement in order for me to gain the correct evidence. All the assessors within the business are always happy to help you gain the evidence required.

I receive a lot of support from my apprenticeship team, as I attend a review meeting every 3 months to see how I am doing with the apprenticeship and if I am having any problems inside and outside of work. All of the apprenticeship team and supervisors are easy to approach if you have any problems and willing to sit down and have a chat about it.

My salary is good for a first year apprentice as I am able to live well while commuting to work and having a social life. I live local to the company so travel cost is not that much.

The company has loads of events that I can get involved in. These can range from company visits to charity work and visiting schools. All these opportunities are given to every apprentice to do so everyone can do them if they wish. There are also different sports clubs within the company that I can get involved in such as football and cycling. Also there are many committees that apprentices are welcomed to such as the charity committee.

Yes

It is a very well organised apprenticeship scheme with a good salary and a great opportunity for someone to get into the business and climb up through the ranks.

Take your time while completing the application process and ensure that you are selling yourself but don't be arrogant. Speak to other applicants and employees at the assessment day to see what they do inside and outside of work. Show interest when someone is talking to you.