Apprentice Mechanical Designer Review

Apprentice Designer; Daily tasks align with the team priority lists, currently producing outputs so mainly my day is taken up by the production of these drawings. I communicate with my team a lot during the day and have communications with engineers and other people who are responsible for certain elements of my drawings. I am at a level now where I should be able to produce a drawing of high spec and to the relevant standards and then self check my work prior to secondary checking.

National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (LVL3) Extended National Diploma in Engineering Technical Support (LVL3) IKSS - I Keep Submarines Safe TalkSafe Trained COSHH Assessor Certified Intermediate Knowledge and Experience using a CAD Design Package Basic Knowledge and Experience using a PLMCC Software. Communication skills improved Organisation skills improved Networking skills improved Confidence improved

My work has been brilliant My team has been brilliant Company culture is good Company systems are good but have a tendency to make people feel penalised for good work Overall it was enjoyable until having an in-house issue with regards to the fine print of a contract and prevention of time completion.

From an on the ground perspective I feel greatly appreciated, my team and my team leaders are very supportive, friendly and encouraging and this makes it a really great place for me to work. Recognition schemes seem to have lost merit in this area Apprentice of the Month nominations etc. seem to not be distributed to certain placements preventing a nomination.

Good if you fit into the standard framework but if you join it out of alignment i.e. Late or staggered, there isn't a clear amended plan to suit the rest of your framework so the feeling of being missed out of a majority of things is prominent unless you stick your head out enough to try figure out what's going on.

Our training provider is Furness college and support in terms of academic quality is brilliant although there is no access to certain areas of resource such as the library as that is only for certain levels of student i.e. degree level. There is meant to be access to the course textbooks online although this was temporarily available then it was removed.

From my direct Project Leader, perfect amounts, always encouraging me to improve where possible and show me opportunities. The HR team have had drop in sessions in our office and we also have a strong Union presence on site. The early careers team support you if you need them but 9 times out of 10 you can get all the support you need from your teams. For newer apprentices the EC dept are great as they can provide the settling in phase support and are great at this.

Throughout the apprenticeship the pay was great it was better than most apprenticeship schemes nationally and we also were eligible to work overtime should the company see it pertinent to your training. The only issue is the misalignment in framework preventing time completion has resulted in me doing work which is the same if not more in some circumstances than other "apprentices" who are not out of their time and on more money than I am yet I'm doing the same work, more hours for less pay.

There are activities involving, STEM, schools, charities and extra curricular activities around college and on site. Sailing exped and science live events are well advertised. There are opportunities to provide tutoring to other apprentices aswell as request some tutoring too. There are more than sufficient provisions of other opportunities to the scheme.

Yes

The expertise and development is available should you have the desire and in an area of Britain like this it is one of the best opportunities available to you. It also has a work culture which is beneficial to anyone in the area, we work to the best of our ability and to the highest of specifications as lives depend on us doing our jobs right first time.

Do not be afraid to ask questions, people would much rather you asked a hundred "daft" questions than getting into the habit of not asking and then one important question is not asked. Interviews, just be yourself, I get the feeling that yes they will ask you questions about our products and services and where we operate but I would emphasise the ability to hold a conversation about a topic and be able to communicate is key, if you can have a conversation and show a keen interest in what we do here then that would be of great benefit. Always ask as many questions as you can :)