Apprentice maintenance engineer Review

My day to day responsibilities include carrying out preventative and reactive maintenance on the machinery on site. I am a shift engineer, meaning I work a continental 4 on 4 off shift pattern. The working hours are 12 hour shifts. I have completed all my college courses however I remain an apprentice for an additional 2 years.

Yes I have developed many new skills both practical and theoretical. I have learnt many new practical engineering processes and operations. I have also learned many new things about engineering theory. I have gained in knowledge in the importance of carrying out tasks with structure and using logic and reasoning to make informative decisions.

I enjoyed the first year of my course at college full time as I was learning and carrying out engineering processes everyday and I had a structured program. After my first year I then spent the rest of my apprenticeship still carrying out in the factory full time with one day release day at college. I enjoy being at work for the most part however I didn’t/don’t like the lack of in house training i have/haven’t received. I have requested to go on courses that would help me carry out my role more effectively and with more confidence however non of this has come into fruition.

I believe premier foods value their staff and demonstrate this in many ways. One of which include added benefits of being an premier foods employee such as discounts on brands through the hamper. However, I have had a lack of training which makes me feel as an apprentice like my apprenticeship is not taken as seriously I would've like to have been. Therefore, on this side of things I do not feel valued in this way. I believe that premier foods would like to produce good engineers however I feel there has been lack of organisation and structure that would've been appreciated. If a apprentice development program was set up then i believe this would make for an excellent apprenticeship. Other than this I for the most part feel valued as an employee.

As mentioned in the previous question, there has been lack of organisation and structure in my apprenticeship. In the first year the organisation and structure was good. However, into my 2nd and 3rd year there was a lack of organisation and structure. I had no apprentice development plan so I didn't have targets and goals within the factory. I did have targets and goals with college and my NVQ but this was all theory based. It would have been nice to of had a practical skills development plan for inside the factory so that i would have more confidence in working on the kit.

I have received adequate support from Plymouth city college in both my college courses and NVQ. There is room for improvement but seeing as I didn't require/ask for much support, the support I did receive met expectations.

I receive support in many different forms and most of the time support is pretty good. I would say where support is lacking is in providing training for apprentices in house so as apprentices we have a solid foundation in understanding the processes carried out on site and understanding the basic operation of the machinery we have on site.

My salary meets my costs well and as an apprentice I am on good money. I am able to save an afford living expenses as well as money for my hobbies.

There are opportunities such as charity fund raising events which be in the form of a charity walks. Other opportunities include ambrosia rafters and the occasional football event.

Yes

I believe they do pay well as an employer and do value their staff

I would advise someone to take their time and ask plenty of questions during the application and interview process. Show your willingness to learn and improve yourself as premier will show their willingness to help you in return. Avoid turning down opportunities , step outside your comfort zone and start saying yes !