Engineering Technician Apprentice Review

Mechanical Engineering Technician apprentice, so I rotate around selected placements where I can learn about mechanical systems from experienced engineers. The placements are 4 months long and we are reviewed throughout the apprenticeship. We are on a day release to college where we are studying an HND in Mechanical Engineering and have previous achieved and HNC in Engineering Systems and an HNC in Mechanical Engineering. Alongside this we carry out our SVQ by writing logbooks relating to our work.

Alongside the academic skills that have been gained between the on the job learning and the studying at college, I have learned time management skills, organisational skills, communication skills to name a few. In particular I have gained IT skills and now feel comfortable with software's such as AutoCAD that I have previously struggled with.

I really enjoy the variety of the programme which allows you to get a broad view of the business which improves a general understanding of the company, but also allows you to decide what department you would like to end up in and create relationships with people all around the business.

From entering the company, we were aware of the structure of the programme for our all of our 4 years. This involved our first year in college full time studying Engineering Systems, selecting which discipline we were best suited for (Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, Structures). Then a 2 year rotation of 4 month placements based on our discipline alongside day release at college. The final year consisting of a year fully in the business in an anchor placement.

We have constant support from our Training Officer at any time, whether it's to do with placements, work load or personal circumstances. We also receive 12 week reviews where our current Line Manager within our placement and our Training Officer both review our current progress and look at what can be improved upon.

We are provided constant support from our training provider when working towards our qualifications. Our training officer meets with our college to ensure that we are receiving the level of support required and monitors our performance to ensure that we are excelling as we should be. This is also covered in our 12 week reviews.

The subjects in which we are studying are closely related to the placement plan we follow which allows us to gain a better understanding of the systems and components. When carrying out our SVQ it is based on work done on the job which ensures that we have a good understanding and knowledge of it.

If you wish to be proactive in your apprenticeship there are a range of activities that are available to get involved in. There is the Apprentice Council which you can get involved in along with STEM activities and encouraging people to get involved in Engineering by telling them about your experience. There are also conferences and competitions such as the Schools Engineering Challenge which is ran annually.

Yes

The structure of the programme alongside the support that is provided from training officers and staff throughout the company, exceeds any other way of learning for me. There is also the opportunity to work your way up the company as many of the management team began their careers as apprentices and value the scheme. This along with a good wage makes BAE Systems the best apprenticeship scheme on offer.

If you are considering applying then do it. It will be worth it. If you didn't get in, don't be disheartened and reapply the following year. It is also not just for people who have just left school, there are many people who are older. It's never too late to apply for an apprenticeship.