Multi-skilled Engineer Review

I am currently in my first year, which is five days a week at South West Durham Training College (associated with Bishop Auckland College). The course itself covers all aspects of my role once I start on site at GSK Barnard Castle September of 2019. My course includes a lot of practical work and theoretical work, covering all aspects of engineering such as in electronics, mechanics, pneumatics, welding, hydraulics, milling, tool making etc.

Over the duration of my course so far I have picked up on many new key skills, before starting I had never experienced a lot of what I would now consider myself competent at. Some of these activities include welding, wiring and servicing machinery. I am constantly developing these skills day to day, supported by my tutors and colleges.

This programme is the most enjoyable form of education I have ever experienced; since a young age I have always been fascinated about engineering, and from this I have known that a role as an engineering apprentice would be perfect for me. With this in mind, I had heard of GSK's high standards, good reputation and the pleasant work community, as a result of this I applied for their apprenticeship programme and their reputation has lived up to it's standards. As a young person just starting out in my career, they do everything they can to look after me and my colleges with our best interests in mind, and it makes my proud to say I am a part of GSK.

The structure of the four year apprenticeship covers all learning aspects that I will carry through into a full time job afterwards, going through it in detail and helping me to really understand what goes on. The starter year of the apprenticeship is all at college, this is to help us through our initial training so that when we start our rotations on site in the second year, through the third year, when we reach our fourth and final year we have had a taste of all sides to the company, so that a mutual decision can be made between myself and the managers at GSK, where I will specialise in the final year of my apprenticeship, likely carrying that role through to a full time job.

My employer supplies myself and the other apprentices with a lot of support, helping us set up pension and share schemes, organising team building trips, sorting out activities to build on my CV (e.g. Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award) and always being on the other end of an email to answer any queries. As well as this, my manager regularly visits myself and the other engineering apprentices at SWDT to check up on our progress, give us information and help us with anything were stuck with.

While at SWDT, I am constantly supported by the training staff that are helping me through my qualifications to a high standard. They are always open to questions and go the extra mile to make sure I am fully understood of the task and the theory behind it. As well as this, I am surrounded by my colleagues who are like minded individuals that are open to helping me out in a situation where I am unsure.

I have been told by other engineering apprentices who are in the years above me that everything that is taught to me at SWDT is used and is incredibly helpful when working on site at my company, the processes and components are the same, however it is just on a bigger scale. SWDT have tailored what they teach us around our job role, focusing on this to fully prepare us for work when the time comes.

As a company, GSK hosts many different activities, not only in work but also outside of work. These activities include organising team building trips to the Lake district, work nights out, bee keeping, orange days, STEM events etc. There is so much for employees to get involved in, which is advertised t them through emails, on posters and the promotion team.

Yes

GSK is a brilliant place to work, all work done is to help people around the world, employees are all happy, talkative people, and the management is exceptional. Any issues is dealt with straight away, and with these high standards you know that they will look after you, not just as an employee, but as their team.

The application process is very long, I first applied in November of 2017 and didn't go for my interview until May 2018, this is as a result of the long application process. There are many filtering stages to pass before reaching the interview stage, however don't let this put you off because their level of standards is high. Take time with each stage of the application to best prepare yourself, aiding you to do your best and hopefully make it to the interview stage.