Aircraft fitter, craft apprentice Review

I am a 2nd year aircraft fitting, craft apprentice. During my apprenticeship I will have many different roles and tasks as I move placements and work with different teams. On a day to day basis, I will start work at 7:15am and start countersinking different carbon fibre panels and skins, as well as different assembly work on either the F-35 or eurofighter. There are opportunities to be part of charity events and volunteering. I had the opportunity to be a a apprentice union representative as well as a forum rep. Throughout the 3-4 years there are chances for me to compete in the world UK skills in my trade and take part in an apprentice german exchange.

While I work monday to thursday, I attend college one day a week where i am studying towards my HNC in aeronautical engineering. I have already receieved my Btec diploma in Aeronautcial engineering level 3 from the previous year. Throughout my training I have recieved many different training courses such as human factors, health and safety and I am constantly working towards my NVQ level 3 through out my apprenticeship. As well as acedemic skills, I have learnt many new skills and life skills during my apprenticeship. This ranges from basic electrical circuits, hand fitting skills, team skills, interacting skills, grown in confidence, being able to stand up and present infront of a crowd and tell people all about my experiences so far with my company and apprenticeship.

Even though the days can be long, because the work that I am doing is interesting and I enjoy it, it passes fast. The people that I work with are all really easy to get along with and support your learning. All the skilled workers that I have been paired up with have been very skilled and knowledgeable with the job that they do, passing on there skills as you learn. As a whole, the company has been very focused on how well I am enjoying my apprenticeship and are very people focused. They understand that with a happy and well looked after workforce, they have a well made product at the end.

There are many different reward schemes that the company run to show the appreciation for the employees. As an apprentice, I have attended the awards evening where I recieved thanks for my first year at the training centre. The management will give feedback on your time within your placement, which is always good because they do notice the hardwork that you put in and so far I have been able to have the chance to meet the Queen on a VIP visit, go to Birmingham, stall manning at the NEC world UK skills show and be part of various BBC filming and radio interviews about my apprenticeship.

From the first day there was a structure to how the next 3-4 years would work and what would happen at each stage of my apprenticeship. This was all covered in the first 2 week induction to first year and then recapped on the induction into 2nd year. Throughout the 2nd year, you are told what you new placements are and where you will be going. There is a apprentice forum meeting that I can go to which allows me to highlight any aspects that don't seem to be working so well, what I am and am not enjoying and what can be changed. These meeting will usually have operation managers and head of businesses.

I am always in contact with my training assessor. This is the person that I can go to if I have an queries on my job packs for my NVQ, my placement or my HNC work. There are montly NVQ meeting, 12 week reviews and 1st contact meetings for each placement. This makes sure that I am always sure with what I need to be getting on with and that I am on track with my training. While at college there are after college study sessions, where the tutors will be able to help me with any work that I may be struggling with.

While on site and not in the training centre, there has been more interaction with the managers or the buildings to make sure that I am happy with the work that I am doing and ifI need any help with anything. There is contacts with the occupational health team to make sure that I am still healthy and have no work related concerns.

Since I still live at home, I havent had any problems with my salary and find that I have been able to buy a new car and still be able to save enough at the end of each month for when I do decide buy a house. I have enough money to be able to travel to work and back, pay for food, and still enjoy my self with some left over at the end of the month.

Because of BAE systems being such a big company, there are many events that they take part in which I can also. There was alot of volunteering and charity work around the poppy apeal and also the local community. There are different sport clubs such as a footbal team, rugby team as well as photography clubs, RC clubs, and social clubs.

Yes

Because it is somewhere you can work and make something of yourself. You can make your job into a successful career when you put your time and effort into it and it is somewhere, that you get out what you put in. Your a valued member of a team and company.

Be passionate about what you love and what you want to do, its something that will drive you to be the best that you can, and others will see that in you, even if you dont yourself.