Apprentice Review

My role as an apprentice varies from day to day. At the moment I am working in AW101 Structural Design which involves me creating and editing drawings and models for the aircraft as is requested by the customer. I interact with a wide variety of people with different levels of expertise within lots of different fields. I am also responsible for restoring an AW101 Cockpit Flight Simulator.

I have developed lots of new skills such as people management and skills to talk to people as well as time management and organisational skills. I have completed training in manual handling, as well as completing a helicopter familiarization course. I am also trained in out latest CAD software.

I love my programme as it gives me the chance to meet a wide range of people whilst gaining experience within lots of different areas within the company. I can have fun and learn my trade whilst still getting paid for it and gaining the qualifications.Also the apprenticeship can be tailored towards me and where I would like to finish it

I feel very valued by my employer, and feel like I am making an active difference to my company. I have gained an instant recognition award recently to say thank you for my help with an event. Recently as stated earlier, I have the responsibility of restoring an AW101 cockpit simulator, this makes me feel valued for my knowledge and experience as well as showing me that they trust me to manage this project

In some respects our apprenticeship is very well structured with college one day a week and then either 3 or 6 month placements in a department. We then have a math and science support session on a Wednesday morning. I would say however that college is quite poorly organised as the lecturers expect different criteria for the assignments as well as varying on the times that we get out assignment results

College varies with how much support they give us. Some lecturers are very proactive in providing guidence and support to students whereas others seem more reluctant

The training managers have always been very supportive and helpful when I have had a problem and have usually been sorted very quickly.

At the moment, I still live in my parents house so my salary easily meets my costs, however I know that this varies between the apprentices.

Leonardo has a group of apprentices known as AWASA which are a group of apprentice and graduates who run events, both charity and social outside of work time. These include football matches, lazer tag, curry nights and cake runs. We also can do outside events such as the Bath and West show to encourage young engineers to study and be interested in STEM projects.

Yes

This is a very reliable employer whom I have learnt a bucket load from. They are extremely supportive and pay well. This company will challenge you to your limits whilst supporting you, knowing that you can achieve the greatest things. It may also later on support you to do a degree in engineering.

Make sure you know your aircraft and have projects to show them within the interview. This maybe something you have done in DT at school or something you have done outside of school, it will give you something to talk about. Also don't be afraid to be yourself, be confident and friendly and work as a group within the group activities. Also don't be afraid to stand out! (in a good way)