Higher Apprentice - Civil Aerospace Review

I am a Higher Apprentice. In my first year I completed a Level 2 NVQ called 'Performing Engineering Operations', which gave me important hand skills that I can reflect on in future. From the end of first year, apprentices are put into the business where they carry out placements all around their area in order to get a broad range of knowledge of the engineering tasks RR undertakes. I go to university on a Tuesday and study a Foundation Degree there. In my third year I will carry on with day release at uni to study a Bachelor's Degree. I get to talk with people from all over the company who are really friendly and perform a variety of tasks from CFD to coding. I'm working on projects that will have a direct impact of the company and I feel like a valued member of the team.

I have gained a Level 2 NVQ and am working on a level 4 NVQ. I will have achieved a Foundation Degree in Engineering by the end of second year and begin working towards my Bachelor's degree. I also take part in training courses important for my job role within the company, and apprentices are taught to develop their personal learning and thinking skills with various trainings and tasks such as a week away in the Lake District kayaking, and conducting a STEM day for schools.

I really enjoy my programme. The Teams I'm in have been fantastic and I am working and studying to achieve my goal of becoming an engineer. It is a steep learning curve and there are constant challenges which I wouldn't have expected at the start of the programme but these are help to become a more well-rounded engineer and employee.

The team makes me feel valued by appreciating the work I do. I am asked for by old placements to help out with projects I've done for them there, demonstrating they appreciate the work I've done and are continuing to use it after I leave.

The programme is well structured and as the first intake taking my Foundation Degree at the local university there has been a steep learning curve for the uni as well, as it has been incredibly disorganised for us, but the feedback for the year below is better, showing they do appreciate our issues and are improving.

I have 3-monthly meetings with my Apprentice Development Lead who is my manager from the Apprentice training school to make sure I'm on target and gives me the opportunity to request further support. Apprentices are also trained in the different types of support available, as well as the Union always being willing to help.

I have 3-monthly meetings with my Apprentice Development Lead who is my manager from the Apprentice training school to make sure I'm on target and gives me the opportunity to request further support. Apprentices are also trained in the different types of support available, as well as the Union always being willing to help.

The salary teaches me to be careful with money. It can be tough sometimes, but it just means less expensive socialising towards the end of the month.

There is an Apprentice and Graduate Association which puts together loads of extra events where people can network. There are also socials arranged by the teams at important events and lots of clubs going on.

Yes

Working and studying has been incredible in the engineering field as it gets you the experience you need to be able to be straight into a job at the end of your learning. My uni studies help my work and my work projects will push me to learn things I will then utilise at uni.

The assessment centre day just wants people to be enthusiastic about where they're applying. Knowing basic engine components will help, and also know that Rolls-Royce do not make cars anymore! Get to know the company's history and current competitors situation, as well as have a basic knowledge of how a jet engine works.