Engineering Apprentice Review

In the workshop, we overhaul various equipment that is brought in from plant. This includes valves, actuators, pumps and clutches. We test valves to ensure they are holding pressure after they have been overhauled. We sometimes also carryout small jobs to improve the workshop, such as designing and installing safety signs or lock off equipment.

I am now able to confidently use a range of hand tools and machinery, such as a hand drill, spanners, torque wrench, lathe, pillar drill and band saw. I can read drawings and manufacturer's manuals much easier, and locate the necessary information from them much quicker than I could at the start of my apprenticeship. I have also enjoyed the ability to carry out the smaller, individual tasks which help to develop my confidence in my own skills.

The programme has been very beneficial and given me skills that I can now use outside of work as well. The people I work with are helpful and friendly. Although the subject is not something I would chose again, it would be unfair of me to say the apprenticeship isn't good because of my own personal preferences.

It often feels like I am very unknown due to the size of the company. Just at the factory I work in there are 1000 people so it is difficult to get to know a lot of the people here. However, even as an apprentice we are included in the bonus scheme and are rewarded every March, depending on the factory's performance.

There have been some difficulties due to the college we use and the constant change of staff there. This has made it difficult at times to know where we stand, what progress has been made and what we need to do in future. There has also been a shuffle round of staff at the factory which has lead to some confusion but things are on track now and we are given a lot of support to get where we need. Organisation is less of a problem for subsequent years as the college used has changed and there is a more concrete plan in place.

Due to a mix up at college, we weren't given a contact for the first year of our apprenticeship. This made it difficult to track out progress or even know what we were supposed to be doing. We have since been given a contact, however he has missed a few appointments which has again delayed the progress we could be making.

Our line manager is very good at supporting us and pushing us in the right direction. He is easy to talk to and very focused on helping us all achieve the best we can. We are given paperwork to help us track our practical development and regular check ins to ensure we are still on the right path.

The salary is very good for an apprentice. The starting salary is a decent amount and the yearly increase is very good. If I was living at home with my parents, there would be no problems. However, I live with my husband so our costs are higher than the average apprentice. Having the yearly increase is great and makes it easier to afford our bills.

As an apprentice, we are given the opportunity to raise the awareness of apprenticeships and develop our personal skill set by going in to schools to talk to young people about their options when they leave school or college. We also are given the opportunity to organise open evenings here at Nestle to give an insight in to our experiences as apprentices. We sometimes do factory swaps with the apprentices from other Nestle factories around the country which gives us a better idea of the vastness of the business and lets us see other areas and how they operate.

Yes

There is a lot of room for development and progression. Once out of the apprenticeship, the possibilities are vast and even stretch all over the world. We are encouraged by our personal review system to go above and beyond, rather than just doing the bare minimum to get by. If your mind set is right, you can go really far within Nestle.

The application process can be tough, but once you get through the online steps, the assessment day can be fun. Just relax and be yourself, engage with the assessors and really show what you can give to Nestle as an individual.