Engineering Technician Review

Currently completing placements across different areas of systems engineering. Currently within a Systems Modelling and Integration team that creates models on a software programme. The models are used within documentation to show highlights of what different systems do on the ship and what they are made up of. This is to show everyone a basic overview.

I have gained skills I never thought that I would have. Not only have I massively increased my knowledge of engineering through college work during my HNC and HND programmes but my own personal skills for organisation and time keeping have improved. My concentration skills have improved and I hav ebeen able to soak up learning better.

I enjoy my programme a lot because It challenges me every day and encourages me to work hard and learn. The benefits on my programme also encourage me to work hard as they support you as you work. The programme being successful makes me believe and trust in the work I do.

The structure of my programme is good as it allows for a good learning experience. Having done the HNC before coming onto site in 2nd year it gave me good experience and help with terminology that is used in engineering. The experience of the lecturers, some of which worked with my company, helped massively.

My employer is massively supportive in the programme and to individual employees as a whole. They really treat employees as people and not a work force, and even go further as we as apprentices are part of a vulnerable group so are protected and supported even more so. This helps the programme a lot

My training provider (Which I think is Glasgow Clyde College) is very supportive as you can go to the lecturers with any problem, whether that's to do with work or with college and they are friendly enough and trustworthy enough so that you could go to them with personal issues

The qualification is vital to my development and knowledge to complete the job. Without this qualification I would struggle to have enough knowledge to develop in on the job training as a lot of work I do involves a lot of assumed knowledge which you would only gain through qualifications.

There are extra curricular activities to get involved in. The examples I have seen are to get involved with the apprentice council which runs a lot of charity events. Another example I have seen is a hill walking challenge in Yorkshire to do 3 peaks in under 12 hours with money raised going to charities.

Yes

The company is a good company to work for and there's lots of support for apprentices and other employees to get the jobs you are assigned done correctly, safely and without any determent to your health in any other way. I have recommended the company to a family member.

Definitely do it if you are prepared for a tough challenge. While the apprenticeship is difficult because of the skill level they require, it is massively rewarding in more ways than the salary. I would advise them to have some experience of working in groups as it is key to the business' success and your own learning.