Craft Apprentice Review

I work at naval base services where I maintain the base, I am an electrical and mechanical apprentice. In my first year I am in a training centre learning basic skills, in my second year I am assigned a mentor in the dockyard who I shadow, in my third year I would of qualified and got my level 3 and in my fourth year I will be fully working.

I have learnt a lot of new skills whilst being in my first year(now in my second) things that I never even heard of before, like conduit for metal and plastic, I have learned how to wire up a ring main circuit to make some switched and lights turn on and I have assembled and re-assembled an engine and worked on a lathe and milling machine all in my first year.

I enjoyed my first year as it was something new, I had never done anything like it before, I was always busy and doing something towards my level 2 qualification. I liked going on the trip away and making new friends with the people I work with, the hours are good and I am learning.

In my first year towards the start the programme was well organised we knew what units were completed and what we had left to do, we had 3 different instructors which was a nice change. For the mechanical side it wasn't as structured because our course took longer than others as we were doing 2 trades.

In my first year I did receive some support which helped me and [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyApprenticeship Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] that comes in for my 6 month review helped me a lot. In my seconds year I can always speak to my line manager if I had a problem or issue and she would be open.

From my 2 electrical instructors I have received a lot of help, courage and motivation from them. They don't want me to fall behind on the bookwork so they always make sure that everyone is keeping on top of things. So when I have finished my 3rd year all my paperwork will be done and signed off.

I think that the bookwork needs to be a bit more relevant to people who go to naval base services. As it was more suited for people going on ships. I have learned the basic principles or mechanical and electrical to guide me in the right directions and help solve things.

Yes there are more things we can get involved in such as opening evenings or open days and help out with the instructors and talk to the new people who are interested and tell them about my job and the apprenticeships and other routes if they want to. There is also a football team at naval base services if you wanted to join.

Yes

It is a good apprenticeship for people coming straight from school or college, you learn the basic skills for level 2 and then level 3. You meet some great people and get to go on the ships and see and look around the naval base and see what's going on.

I would advise others who are applying that to just be yourselves and be confident and to ask loads of questions to look keen. If you don't understand something then ask because if you don't then it will be too late and you wont understand. And be friendly.