Electromechanical Engineering Apprentice Review

I'm an Electromechanical Engineering Apprentice at GSK Slough. I work with the shift engineers maintaining plant, and repairing it when it breaks down. As an apprentice I have been given certain roles and responsibilities such as being a site safety rep, meaning I attend regular meetings and walkrounds regarding site safety issues. I'm also a STEM ambassador which has allowed me to go to places such as the Big Bang Science fair at the NEC. I was recently given a project to overhaul the engineering motor stores on site, and produced my own inventory management system known as EMSIMS

Obviously I have gained engineering qualifications including: EAL Level 2 in PEO & a Level 3 BTEC in General engineering. I have also become a qualified advanced first aider for site. We are soon attending an E&H control & instrumentation course, and will have in-house training for lift rescues and fire extinguishers.

I enjoy coming to work every day - I work within a great team, not just on site, but across multiple sites thanks to GSK's apprentice networks. It exceeds my expectations massively!

GSK always look after their employees with lots of rewards and appreciation. On site I have received multiple vouchers thanking me for my work as an employee - these have come from my manager, heads of other departments and even the site director. Recently I won a Bronze Global Employee recognition award, which only around 500 employees a year receive so was very pleased with this.

The apprenticeship is very well organised, with all transport to and from our training center payed for, along with our equipment. There is time for us to study and do our work whilst on site.

We receive a lot of support from our training provider, and can contact them regarding any issues with our coursework

If we have any questions or issues our line manager is always on hand to assist us - if its an issue he feels he cannot support us with he will contact the relevant people for us, such as HR.

Our salary is very competitive with 6 monthly pay reviews, and an annual bonus. As all our business travel costs (to and from training) are covered we do not have to save money to cover this.

I've attended a lot of company events such as careers fiars, the big bang, the GSK EHS competition where I was in the first aid team, and in my individual scenario finished 4th out of 17! Our company social events are also good as we network with other employees.

Yes

Because it's changed my life - I've met new friends, gained valuable skills and have earn't a lot more money than I thought I would have by the age of 18!

Make sure you prepare, read company values and history and just remain calm!