Apprentice Review

My apprenticeship provides a substantial variety of challenging activities that relate to the engineering department of Traffic and Highways Infrastructure in Transport for London. My current placement (Transport Design Engineering) allows an opportunity to be creative in designing and managing the implementation of new road designs and layouts for the benefit of road users and pedestrians alike. This follows the introduction of the Mayors Strategy to increase the number of people cycling and walking and eliminate/significantly reduce the number of car users. In addition to this, I have the opportunity to expand my knowledge in all areas of the engineering department through what I feel comfortable and most interested in.

New skills that I have developed involve the use of Computer Aided Design (CAD). This being such a commonly used tool in modern day engineering is a transferrable skill that allows me to work in any area of Highways & Traffic Engineering successfully. Existing skills I have developed includes my communication skills, which I now use much more frequently with greater consideration as submitting incorrect information between different areas of engineering could have major consequences (E.g. Sending emails and making phone calls).

With my current placement having just started, it is difficult to comment on the whole experience. So far, I have found my placement thoroughly enjoyable, largely as result of the people who I work with, making it a comfortable and homely environment to work in. I am satisfied with the varied opportunities given to me on a regular enough basis that I am kept busy. Currently, my expectations are yet to be met in terms of variety, though I have been given reassurance and maintain confidence that this will change in due course.

Very. I understand that as apprentices we are viewed as the future employees of Transport for London, but equally we are viewed as ambassadors for advertising and selling the company to younger generations who might be looking for similar careers. In terms of the workplace, my colleagues are very respectful and considerate in ensuring that our educational needs are met for our apprentice role. My manager (who has now left) was also extremely considerate and understanding of my personal needs when I first joined, allowing me to settle in the manner I did, and is definitively the reason as to why I feel valued as an apprentice.

My current placement are doing extremely well to ensure I am kept under a comfortable workload on a daily basis, and offer help should it ever be needed. However the 6 months prior to my current placement was extremely disorganized in preparing my placement and resulted predominantly in boredom. I am basing my score on the previous 6 months prior to my current placement...

Regular meetings allow us to set and review objectives for our placements. I am aware that should anything become an issue to me that I can raise it confidentially to my manager who will take appropriate action. With every task, I am given positive guidance and support to ensure that I am understanding of the task and able to complete it independently in a suitable time scale. Most importantly, I am given support to ensure I am comfortable and happy with my placement and all that it offers.

Due to a change in Line Manager I am unable to answer this question as I am yet to meet my new line manager in person. Though on the basis I was answering this question with my previous line manager, if ever I had a problem, he'd always be there to listen and provide assistance and support in any way necessary to ensure my work performance was not affected by external and personal issues. In addition, despite being busy, he would always make time to answer any queries we might have whilst working, whether it be regarding the actual work itself or not.

I am satisfied with my annual salary, and feel it reflects my efforts in the workplace well. Free travel means journey costs are not taken out of my annual salary, nor journeys outside of work, which is the biggest advantage of my apprenticeship. Lunch costs vary on how hungry I am, but the wage is definitely enough to cover my lunch costs. Most importantly, my wage provides enough for me to save a suitable amount for my future.

Yes. Apprenticeship fairs and other recruitment opportunities are regular occurrences to encourage interest. Or there are activities inside the workplace that provide other benefits such as team building. An example of this is football league tournaments at a local football pitch, frequently used by us as apprentices. Other charities and organisations sometimes come in to raise awareness for employees regarding the departments monthly focus. For example last month was "Mental Health", where a clinic was temporarily set up to allow employees to check their physical and mental wellbeing. Support groups are also advertised should employees wish to take advantage of them.

Yes

As a TFL apprentice you receive the Travel Benefits, Good pension, friendly employees, transferrable skills, a world of opportunities in terms of careers paths, No university debts, its a guaranteed job for the vast majority of the company as nowadays companies want people with experience in jobs rather than degrees in hairstyling or whatever it is. What's not to love?

Do something that will make you as a person stand out. Do it in your application, interview, assessment days, show them you want the job.