Advanced Technical Apprentice with Cummins Engine Company Ltd Review

I am an Advanced Technical Apprentice with Cummins Engine Company Ltd, I am currently completing my first year of the apprenticeship which encounters a full year at South West Durham Training full time. Everyday is different at college as you rotate around different aspects of engineering in 13 week blocks, this includes work such as Electrical, Fabrication & Welding, Milling and Turning plus much more! With this I am completing BTEC work on a Monday which covers theory such as Maths, Mechanical Principles etc. As part of a team we constructed a Ti-Fighter log burner in Fabrication & Welding, this included the design, assembly and finish of the overall piece.

Within each 13 week block at College I learn different skills that can be used in everyday living and within my job role. Within the Mechanical Maintenance rotation it helped me learn on how I can take apart different machines learning how they operate in order to complete a task, for example a horizontal milling machine. I also learnt the key safety features of a machine such as the lock out tag out system.

Due to everyday offering different opportunities it makes my job exciting to be a part of. Cummins also provides high quality advice when learning and are always able to help with any queries and help you achieve higher in every way they can. they are a company that truly care about there apprentices and want the best for them.

My manager at Cummins is always available to help the apprentice group with any college work. When we are on site he will explain how objects work in a way everyone will understand which helps when it is new information. Even from other employees within Cummins are always there to help with any issues. Every apprentice year has an apprentice project which our Manager will chose. For us it is to build a battle robot for 'Robot Wars'. Everybody involved in the project is eager to learn the new skills which makes it even more enjoyable.

Our course at College is very well structured, providing us with skills that we will need at Cummins when we go to the plant. When we go to College on day release we will be in rotations that can last up to 4 months in different job roles around the DTO plant. this making, again, everyday different. When we need help from anyone it is always available and if you weren't to understand anything they would assist you and help you learn it in a different way

The tutors at College are very helpful and are always keen to help anyone who is struggling. If someone were to not fully understand something the teacher will teach that student in a way they could understand. All the information that is given is high quality. They will never force you to do something you can't do which makes the learning process a more relaxed environment.

Cummins provides us with any help we need, whether this is queries about our course or help on any college work. The information that is given is a high standard that is easy to understand. Whenever there has been an issue about the course they have always been fast to respond and sort it out. With this they will frequently inform you with any upcoming events and will check on you to check you are understanding everything and that there are no issues.

I drive into work and college which costs me fuel. However the salary packet you are set on is enough to live on, as an opportunity for young learners Cummins package is definitely one of the best at the end of every year you will receive a price review which will increase as the years go on. With this they will always assist you if you have an issue getting to work or college.

With working with a Multinational company such as Cummins there are multiple amounts of opportunities outside of work. this includes setting up team building exercises for the apprentices. The apprentice projects are always good fun and are different every year. We will also do 4 hours voluntary work for the surrounding the area every year which is an extra opportunity to give back to the public and help them out. On the apprentice course there is also chance to travel around the world with the company.

Yes

I would recommend Cummins to a friend as they provide a high quality service for an apprenticeship. They provide help to the apprentices and go out of their way for the apprentices to have the best experience during their time at Cummins.

If you are interested into mechanical engineering Cummins is the number 1 option in the North East. Make sure you stand out from the crowd and be different to the rest (in a good way). Show your passion for engineering on the assessment days and ask questions if you don't understand something.