Apprentice Engineer Review

Pick up jobs list first thing in the morning, drive to first job for 8 in the morning. Every job is different, could be easy or a challenge. Could be working in a cabinet, talking with a customer getting them into service or up a pole putting up wire to the house.

Learnt all new skills. came from retail into engineering knowing little to none. I have been taught everything from ground up. Initial training goes over basics. Once sent out on buddying for three weeks you learn almost everything you need. With every job being different you find you are always learning.

I find the layout of the written side of apprentice to be fairly mind numbing. Its very similar stuff all the way through and doesn't really focus on the job as much as it should. It tends to focus on very basic It or basic safety stuff on the job. It should be focused more on different processes we use on day to day basis or technology side of it.

The programme is structured okay. With well in advance booked out days so we know when we can have a nvq study day. I feel there is no consistency with some managers allowing days off for the photo side of the assessment. For me when we work single man crew all day this side is challenging to achieve for some.

A good amount of support. Have a good relationship with manager coach and assessor. Always able to get support on job or unit of my apprentiship if needed. Feedback always avail be pretty quickly to help see where you are at, to see where you can develop them selves. s

Given 10 nvq days in a class room with assessor who helps guide what we need to achieve and by then. My manager also has given me additional days to get photos needed for the qualification. But colleagues haven't been as lucky and over half way through they have no photos. Roughly need around 100 photos and take a few days to achieve.

For me qualification is focused mostly about general bits and bobs about the company. It does show you the safety side but you have already learnt that in initial training before you even start doing any nvq work. There is almost nothing around the processes we use everyday to get the normal job done.

We have the Christmas party every year. otherwise there is no other social events. Professional networking events you go through separate charities or organisations. We have not been invited to any through the company them selves. Colleagues who have been on for years talk about have sports teams they used to play for but they got rid of them over ten years ago.

Yes

Overall it is a good company to work for with good discounts. There are downsides with travel times, nvq could be a better use but isn't that good, with some managers not bothered by your progress through it. Good stability in the company though and ability to move up through and change directions all being under same roof.

Make sure you are friendly show that you have a good understanding of customer service. You have to be willing to work out in all kinds of weathers, be able to get along and be friendly to wide base of people for all walks of life. Also be keen to learn as there is so much to learn in the network. Every job is different be prepared for that