Mechanical Engineering Apprentice Review

I am a mechanical engineering apprentice, my role varies with my placement which we change every 3-6 months. Many of my placements have been in or around mechanical design where I will interact with internal and external customers to meet the design requirements for mechanical parts, the design is done using CAD software

I have gained qualifications including BTEC mechanical engineering, HNC in mechanical engineering and will earn a HND too. I have developed my CAD skills as I used this everyday, and have developed my personal skills which comes everyday in the work environment. I have also completed many training courses from PLTS to manual handling all of which have helped develop a range of skills.

I enjoy the majority of my programme. As we offer a range of placements and these change every few months there will most likely be placements which people like myself enjoy less but they are good learning experiences, however the majority of the placements and my time at work I enjoy a lot. The teams I have been involved in are always very helpful when I need them, and there are many apprentices here so people are always happy to help us.

at MBDA most of the time I feel valued. Many placements recognise our skills and try to integrate us into the team giving us challenging work which helps the team and helps us learn. Some placements however I have felt less valued and felt more as an extra resource, this however was more towards the start of my apprenticeship when I was less experienced and could maybe not do certain jobs.

the programme is very well organised, we know the departments we are moving into well ahead of time and when we will be moving. We are introduced onto the scheme very well with an 'interaction event' with all the new starters at the time including grads and apprentices, this is a very good way to start of off in the business.

Our training provider has improved during the few years I have spent there but is not always the best. most of the tutors are happy to help with any problems in our courses but some still feel less so. they continue to work with us and improve however so I can see this improving further over the years.

our employers supports a lot, our manager is always available to help us with any problems we may have as is the HR team. we are entitled to a separate mentor but do not have to have one if we do not want to. support is always available through our manager and the placement managers along with the network of people we meet through our movements around the business, most people are always happy to help here.

the salary package meets my needs very well, apprenticeships can pay quite low but here I see that my pay is very good. living costs are normally low as we are mostly young adults living at home with parents so it covers that well and gives me enough to save for the future.

We have many opportunities to get involved in outside of work. We have a sports and social team which set up many day or evening trips which we are allowed to sign up to and also many different sports teams which we can get involved with. there are also many voluntary opportunities where we as apprentices can go out and promote apprenticeships to local schools. the company also promotes volunteer work and allows us time to go out and do volunteer work for charities if we desire.

Yes

it is a good company where the people are very friendly and happy to help new starters. There are also many benefits which I have mentioned earlier for opportunities which we can get involved in.

For apprentices I would advise creating a portfolio of any achievements you have had both in school and outside of school especially if they relate to the scheme you are applying for.