Apprentice Rail Engineer Review

I am a Rail Engineering Design Technician at Arup. I am working in the OLE team (Overhead Line Equipment), currently in the first year of my apprenticeship. My daily tasks include producing and maintaining drawings, 2D and 3D models on CAD. I am also involved in some DRAs (Designers Risk Assessment) and some meetings. Within the office, I interact with a lot of people each day, whether it be at lunch or to discuss work. I must have often communication with the engineers I am working with to ensure I am drawing to match their design. And occasionally I am required to find information from other disciplines. Since I started in August 2016, I've quickly been given many responsibilities. My responsibilities involve: drawing to match both the engineers design and the CAD standards, and ensuring that I can get drawings done to meet deadlines. I am also responsible to keep up with my college work and NVQ work. From starting, I've worked on a variety of 6 projects, which have all taught me different things about rail, my specific discipline and CAD.

At college, I am studying for a L3 BTEC Diploma in Engineering, this will take 2 years to complete and I am nearly at the end of my first year. I am also studying for a L3 NVQ in Railway Engineering, which should take 3 years to complete. Internally, I have had a few training courses: General Site Safety Briefing and Health and Safety Induction. Externally, I have been on 100 Basic Principles on the Railway. Since starting, I have developed both personal and professional skills. I have learnt a lot about the rail industry, specifically OLE due to having professionals in the office to learn from. I have also developed my confidence, work ethic, technical competency, interpersonal skills, independence and problem solving skills.

I thoroughly enjoy my programme, and love the work I do. My team are all willing to help and answer questions and everyone in the office is supportive.

I am trusted with work and to complete work to a competent standard. The appraisal process is very beneficial to find out areas that colleagues appreciate you in and where they feel you could improve. This provides actions for me to work on throughout the year to become more valuable.

The programme is well structured, when I started I received an induction to the office and was introduced to my team. I receive support from Arup and STEGTA (Training Company) for work, college work and NVQ work, everyone is willing to help with college and NVQ work if I need it. Around 2 weeks into my programme, I was on a residential apprentice induction week. All 1st year Arup apprentices were in the same hotel, where we got to know one another, the company, and key people within it. I have a mentor at work, whom ensures I keep my NVQ work updated and that I am doing relevant work/have work to do. I am rarely not busy, and always given tasks to do on different projects. If there is little work in my discipline, I can help out with the CAD work for another discipline.

I meet with my training officer of STEGTA every 6-8 weeks, he ensures I am keeping up to date with my NVQ work, College work, and that I am getting work in the office. Each visit he writes a report and if I'm falling behind in my NVQ/College work he will flag it up to my manager and keep an eye on it. Any questions I have he can always answer, and if I have a problem with something he supports me with it.

I receive plenty of support from my manager and mentor. And the support from HR is there if I require it. If I have problems with college work or NVQ work I am advised to go to newly qualified graduates, who are always happy to help.

The salary I receive is good, and pay rises are twice a year for apprentices. I'm 17, so still live with my parents, and pay rent to them, I put money aside to save and still have a good amount of disposable income which I can use for what I like. Arup offer an interest free loan scheme to pay monthly for a yearly rail ticket, which also makes it easier.

I have recently been given the opportunity to become a STEM ambassador, which will give me the opportunity to take part in school events. My training for this is in June 2016. As the office is in Manchester, there is lots of space for social activities. There is a Christmas Party, Summer Party, Payday drinks in local bars or pubs, and I've recently been on an apprentice event to a bowling place. Arup does many sporting activities, one which I take part in is 5 a side football on monday nights, there is an Arup world cup where Arup 5 a side teams from offices all over the world come together in one country (this year it's Amsterdam) and have a 5 a side tournament. I am aware there is also skiing trips, walking trips, golf trips, and badminton.

Yes

I would recommend Arup to a friend interested in engineering because of the variety of work we work on, the future prospects, and the support provided.

I would advise them to be honest about their skills and accomplishments, and to be confident with their capabilities. Take a folder with certificates of accomplishments throughout your life, or any evidence to talk about in the interview. I'd also advise them to take their time with the application and research into the company before coming to the interview.