Aircraft Maintence and Support Apprentice Review

Aircraft Mainteance and Support Apprentice. On base my daily routine consists of completeing jobs and using the references to write up evidence to supoort my NVQ. i interact with other BAE Systems employees as well as serving RAF personnel. I get given my own tasks to carry out and can ask for support from my Supervisor and other colleagues if i am unsure on anything. The training recieved during the 1st year of my apprenticeship has helped me settle in quickly on base and carry out jobs eficiently and successfully.

I have found that the skills I have needed were either developed during the first year of my apprenticeship or exisiting from my own previous experience.

I enjoy the work that I do, the challenges that I get set as well as the people I work with and the environment that I work in.

Having recently started in a new team I have been recieving positive feedback from those that I work with, which is very reassuring given that I am in a new environment.

Starting on base for my 2nd year was a new experience. I found that although the induction training was necessary and beneficial the 5 days that we were timetables for 'induction' was only 3 days long and we had the other time not doing anything active. The support inplace for the NVQ appears to be successful and is available whenever needed. the NVQ assessors are approachable and easily contactable should any problems arise.

LRTT, who were given the contract to provide our training, were fantastic and despite the obstacles during my first year I felt that they were constantly professional and provided the highest quality of training.

My new team [on base] have been extremely accomodating during my first few weeks and I feel that I have settled in well. I have been given jobs from the start which makes me feel like a valued member of the team and not 'an apprentice who is new and knows nothing'.

I cannot complain about the salary during the 2 year apprenticeship and it starts off competitively and there are 6 months increases [as long as targets are met].

There is financial assistance available for extra curicular activities which is helpful should an individual want to learn something new or take an evening class. My team regularly has social events which gives everyone a chance to get to know each other outside of the working environment,

Yes

The job meets my expectations and I throughly enjoy coming to work and doing my job.

Be proactive; research the company beforehand so you know what you are applying for and where your career can take you. Have an interest in the job you are applying for and in the field too. Being interested in aircraft/engineering makes it easier to learn and also get on with people of similar interests.