Engineering Apprentice Review

I am an engineering apprentice at DSTL, currently in my final year. This year is a 12 month placement within a team elsewhere in the business, providing engineering support to their work and widening my own skillset. I work on several projects at a time, ranging from designing circuits or mechanical objects, to manufacture or repair of electronic devices.

Having no engineering background, I have learnt a wide array of new skills in engineering, from drawing to manufacture. I have been very fortunate to have been offered a range of training opportunities, aside from the engineering training itself. I have been provided with training in handling and transporting dangerous goods, working with explosives and sources of radiation, and have even been sent to conferences and on visits to increase my knowledge base.

The third year is thoroughly enjoyable - I am treated as a full time employee, but still given the time to complete my qualifications. The team I work in is friendly and welcoming, and this is a culture that is widespread across the business. I enjoy the work I do, which is important, although the NVQ can be time consuming and dull.

Too much time was spent initially with the training provider. 18 months training could have been easily delivered in 12. This did slightly demoralise us, however once the training is complete and you are on placement in the business, away from the training provider, the organisation improves massively and things flow much better.

Loads - my manager is always available for a chat and is very willing to support your career aspirations. In addition, within my placement team, there is a strong support structure and a willingness to provide that support. I can approach both my manager and my placement manager for support knowing they will do what they can to help.

Dependent on the member of staff, either lots or very little. When on placement, my assessor is easily reached via email, and visits every few weeks to check on my progress, so support with the qualification is great, but when training at their site, the attitude was a little frosty.

The level 2 was a good basis for engineering knowledge and this has helped me for sure, but the level 3 has not provided me with much benefit as I am not working on communication electronics. Having not been given a choice which NVQ I wanted to take, this is frustrating.

Yes there are many. There is a new starters group which frequently organises social events for new starters, which makes new starters feel more relaxed within the company. The company also has many sports teams, which allow staff members to meet other like minded employees whilst enjoying their regular hobbies.

Yes

The company is very supportive of ongoing development, and is a good place to work in that I always feel comfortable with my colleagues and with the work I am doing. I enjoy the work I do, feel that I will be supported with any future development I may wish to pursue, and know that this same experience would be had by others.

Show you strengths - even if you have no engineering background, explain why you're interested, whether it be maths or physics, or you like breaking things and fixing them! Come in open minded, get through the training portion and you'll thoroughly enjoy the rest of your time working here.