Engineering Apprentice Review

My role as an Engineering Apprentice at Stansted Airport gets me involved in a great number of different tasks. As I am currently in my final year, I have been placed in the Airfield Lighting department as this is my subject of preference. My daily tasks can range from inspecting various types of equipment, from Fixed Ground Power for aircraft to Substation equipment. As my role involves shift work, on a typical night, I could be carrying out fault rectification on the runway, or doing Photo metric testing of our Airfield Lighting.

As an apprentice, I have gained/improved a wide variety of skills, be that academic and practical. I have gained qualifications up to HND level in Engineering, which covers a wide variety of topics such as working with electricity, or project management. Internally, my company has provided me with various courses such as IPAF and our regular First Aid training. Most crucially, I have developed my interpersonal skills that help me work effectively in a team, skills which I would never gain outside of an apprenticeship.

I do truly enjoy my job, as it provides me a great degree of variety and a high level of training quality. The teams that I work with are full of enthusiastic people that really care about their department. Generally, the apprenticeship is well structured and the college-based learning is delivered to expectation.

I have found my apprenticeship to be generally well structured with clear goals and objectives. I have the support that I require to complete any training packages. My line manager organises regular meetings with me to track my progression. The work that I carry out is scheduled well each day, and gives a variety of tasks.

I receive regular one-to-one meetings from my line manager that allows me to raise any issues that I have, and track my progress through my apprenticeship. Generally, my employer supports me as much as possible, and has a framework that allows me to raise any issues that I may have.

My training provider gives me some support to achieve my goals, with a good attitude to supporting my throughout. The college tutors give me sufficient guidance with assignments and tasks to allow me to achieve the best that I can deliver. The college makes able to complete my tasks effectively.

My NVQ3 and 4 qualifications give me the groundwork to a successful career in an engineering environment, whilst the theory work in class can be useful in the real world. Whilst I do feel that the college qualifications could be more applicable to the aviation sector, in general the training is adequate for my role.

My company is involved with various charities (such as CLIC Sargent) and local initiatives that are available for staff to be involved with. More infrequently, some business networking events are held by manufacturers in my sector (such as TMS Photometrics), that my company attends. My company is also heavily involved with job fairs, and allows myself and colleagues to be involved in the process.

Yes

Because of the varied nature of my job role, I get immense satisfaction from work. I am a great supporter of apprenticeships in general, and would recommend that people should apply for this position for the working environment, and the experience that can be gained from working at Stansted airport.

The advice that I would give to anyone applying is that people should keep checking on the MAG jobs website for new vacancies. I would advise people to be themselves during the interview process, so that our HR can get a gauge of what you are really like. Be truthful and honest.