Nuclear Higher Apprentice Review

I rotate around placements within the business doing various activities for periods of 3-9 months. Currently I work with commissioning Engineers testing and calibrating electrical systems. Other placements have seen me more office based where I have been responsible for managing projects, authoring documents etc.

My apprenticeship will provide me with a degree so over time I am building knowledge and skills at college every week. I also get the chance to do companyt specific training courses when they are made available in hope that I will be a fully-qualified staff grade by the time of my exit from the scheme in 2021. Although this training is all supplied a vast majority of the learning happens on the job as I learn about the systems I work on and the processes which it fits into

I really enjoy my programme overall I never feel beat up about going to work although it isn't always perfect the teams I work with vary which makes some placements more enjoyable to work in than others but generally I have been lucky so far. Other than that it has been very much what I expected I get to work 4 days a week and study on the 5th I get to work on submarines doing a variety of things that although not always interesting still come with some satisfaction

Again it depends on the team I am currently working with and how long I have been working with them. Usually the longer I've worked with a team the more appreciated I feel as I can usually get more done. In terms of recognition I feel I get enough for both on and off the job activities but this all internal. I always feel like I can have my say on a project/task and feel useful when I do so.

The Induction and to a large degree the internal company training is excellent, unfortunately due to us being the 1st year to take on the degree apprenticeship there is a large amount of make it up as we go along involved for reviews etc. this often worries me as it may mean surprise work is landed on us in future. The support and hierarchy in place around us is a bit complicated but once you get your head round it many understand why it is so and allows for you to have many points of contact for issues of different nature.

The college are really good at making sure we are supported and even making changes to course timetables in order to incorporate our schedules. Whenever we have had problems they have been addressed once raised through the appropriate method.

In terms of active support not an awful lot but I don't think it is required in this setup whenever I need support however I feel I can go and ask the relevant person who are able to help or point me in the direction of it.

If I had been local to the site to start with then I would say that the salary would certainly have met my costs, however, I am the exception and have moved to the location making my budget significantly smaller for social/leisure activities. In terms of social cost I left many of my friends from school etc. behind but have had no problem socialising with other apprentices etc. since moving.

Barrow is a large town with quite a lot to do the company do put on and support fundraisers etc. which can be great fun as well as things to do in the nearby lake district etc.

Yes

Cause it pays well you get a degree and a job you get to live somewhere different with lots of really nice people in a town that is somewhat underrated. People will often bend over backwards to help you and there is a wide understanding of what the role of an apprentice is within the company

For the Application process my only advice would be to practice mental maths before doing the online assessment. for the Assessment day my greatest piece of advice would be to prepare as much as you can but stop at least 24 hours before and go in relaxed. Also it will be worth attending the open days as they help yu to understand what you may be doing and how it will work as well as allowing to meet many othe rpeople in the same boat as yourself.