Engineering Apprentice Review

Working alongside qualified technicians I complete planned maintenance and attend to breakdowns on electrical and mechanical equipment. Also there are sometimes fabrication jobs which would include machining (pillar drills, lathes, millers etc.) and sometimes welding. I work 8-4pm Tuesday-Friday and go to Derby college on Mondays for a full day.

I've learned how to use different machining tools and equipment such as the lathe, the miller, the pillar drill, the band saw and other cutting equipment. I have also been shown how to weld. I'm understanding how to use databases and also how planned maintenance works within a factory. My hand tool skills have also improved.

I like that when I come to work the jobs that occur aren't always the same. Sometimes there are mechanical issues and other days there are electrical issues. I am enjoying learning how to problem solve using new found skills which i've aquired during my apprenticship. I also like that we are making a product, and I can feel the sense of business while I work here.

If I am to be totally honest I don't think the structure has been very sound. There was a lot of issues with us apprentices being put onto the wrong course at college and also being booked onto an NVQ which doesn't have enough modules to pass us to a 'Neslte standard' at the end of our time. So now we are back tracking trying to get as many electrical write ups done with little time. But this is difficult because 90% of the job is mechanical work. I do think that there should be more practical electrical training offered to us.

All the technicians that I have worked with so far have been very supportive. They understand that we are here to learn. I am sightly dissapointed that my employer hasn't offered extra practical electrical training, when all of us apprentices have been asking for it. Our employer can see the knowledge gaps but don't seem to be doing anything about it.

I don't feel like there has been much clarity during our qualifications so far. We have huge electrical knowledge gaps which we have mentioned to our training department, but nothing seems to be happening. Nestle expect a certain level of competency but so far haven't offered extra training. I am unsure who my middle man is between nestle and derby college.

The training provided, by the training provider, is very relevant to the role. It's taught me necessary skills which help me perform better in my role. Learning about materials and also hand tool skills. We were also shown how to use machines such as lates and pillar drills, this is very helpful as it saves time at work - not having to have a technician to teach me.

There are no official extra-curricular activities to get involved in at work. There have been unofficial and informal activities such as five aside football and also days out like paintballing and go karting. But these are more events which have been organised between friends rather than a business event, organised by the company.

Yes

I would recommend Nestle apprenticship to a friend becaue I think that it is a good place to work, it seems as though we are well looked after and also the starting money for an apprentice is reasonably high. Nestle is a big company name as well, this will look very good on my CV.

The tips or advice I would give to others applying to Nestle would be to brush up on your maths before going for the online assessments. It will help. Also expect a group interview assessment day if you are successful through the online stage. But there is also a solo interview on the same day.