Multi-skilled engineering apprentice Review

Currently my all my time is spend training at South West Durham Training centre. One day a week is spend working towards a level 3 btec qualification in operations and maintenance. The rest of the week is spend learning a variety of skills such as turning, milling, mechanical maintenance and electrical maintenance.

I have learnt many new skills within the first few month of my apprenticeship. These skills have all been learnt at South West Durham training centre within the well taught and structured lessons. There hasn't been a day gone by where I haven't learned a new skill that could greatly improve my engineering abilities.

I am greatly enjoying my apprenticeship program at Glaxo Smith Kline. There are many great aspects to this apprenticeship program such as trips, great support, great staff and great training. An example of one of the trips was a resilience event at the Stevenage site, I enjoyed this very much.

I feel my program has a good clear structure that consists of many different components. The program has many great aspects of both in classroom teaching and in the workshop teaching. I feel that through the great structure of the program I will be ready for in the work place learning next year.

I feel my employer provides great support because I always feel very supported. If I ever need any support I know I can just ask and there will be people there to support me. There are any different ways GSK offers support such as regular visits, email support and the GSK support chatline.

Yes, I feel very supported through the college as there are many different support outlets. The support at college consists of many different things such as in the classroom support, emailing tutors and in the workshop support. I feel extremely supported at college through the many different source of support.

I feel that my qualification that have gained through my training provider will help me perform better in my job role when I return to site. The training provider has done a great job of tailoring the training process to be highly transferable and compatible with the work we do on site.

There are many different extra-curricular activities to get involved with at GSK. The different extra-curricular activities consist of nights out, resilience events, bee keeping, orange days, outward bounds events and Duke of Edinburgh silver award. I feel like the wide are of extra-curricular activities are really good for my development.

Yes

Working at GSK is a pleasure, it is a company that does a lot of good for the world and it feels rewarding to be a part of. In addition there is a great support network that will support you throughout the whole of your apprenticeship with anything you may need.

The best tips that I would give are don't be disheartened by the long application process as it will be worth it in the end. In addition I would say if you don't get the apprenticeship the first time you apply you can always apply again next year.