Apprentice Engineering Technician Review

Our role as an apprentice changes depending on which section we are on. At the moment we are in the Training Centre, and there are numerous sections. My first section was mechanical fitting where we made a tool box, a drill block (assessment piece), and a drill drift. Then I moved onto CAD where we designed 3 assessment pieces. After that we went onto the aircraft section where we took parts off the Tornado jet in the building and put them back on as well as many other activities on it. Then we moved onto machining where we did milling and turning, we made a G-Clamp on milling and a plumb-bob on turning. I went onto the electrical section after that where we practised circuits on copper stripboard and carried out 2 assesment pieces on that, followed by designing a ring main circuit on wooden board as another assessment piece. The final section that I am on now is aircraft fitting where we use aircraft grade aluminium to make 2 assessment pieces which are an access panel and a butt strap.

Yes. I have learnt a lot over the time I have been here so far. I have been working towards my PEO, and learnt a lot of practical skills too including filing techniques, riveting, counter-sinking, machining methods etc.

I enjoy it quite a lot. It is very challenging but the rewards are great. You get a good sense of achievement when you finish a task that was tricky, and it is very interesting what we do. My team is great and we get along well too, so when someone is struggling we can help each other out.

All the staff here give us help and advice when we need it, making us feel a valued member of the company. No one is nasty and everyone treats you responsibly and maturely.

It is well organised in most areas, however I think some improvements could be made. For example induction course at the start was very repetitive and there was a lot of waiting around. Maybe this could have been compacted into a shorter time period? Also, the aircraft section I feel was too short, we only had 3 days on it, I think at least 2 weeks would have been more beneficial to us so we could learn more and take our time when carrying out jobs on it.

We receive a lot of support from all staff here at the training centre at Preston. Instructors are always keen to help us and guide us for our future. Further Education staff are also very good in what they do.

We receive a fair bit from our employer. We have regular talks from managers coming in to tell us how we are very important to the business and how we are the future of the company. They have lots of encouraging information for us.

Very well, I am very happy with the amount of money I receive each month and I am saving a lot of it for future needs.

There are a few, such as footbal events which go on between different teams from alternate sections and areas within the business. Also as a team, we sometimes organise things for the weekends where we can go out or socialise etc.

Yes

It is a very interesting course where you learn a lot and improve you skills as a person. It is fun and interesting and when you get into it it is very enjoyable and rewarding.

Apply with plenty of time to spare so you can double check your application form. Check there are no spelling errors in your application form. Prepare for you interview by reseaching the company thoroughly. Try your best and keep calm during the interview. Focus on the online tests. If you do all that, then with a bit of luck there should be no reason for you not to get through.