Manufacturing Aprentice Review

I am training to be a manufacturing engineer. At this moment, I am within the Product Support team. I have taken some big responsibilities within this team. I complete 3d model designs and the drawings to go with them. I change existing drawings to make them up-to-date. I have also taken bigger jobs which include trials and report writing.

I have learnt many new skills. I have become rather skilled in CAD with the use of Solidworks and have begun to develop skills on Microstation. I am able to look at a problem and begin to develop a solution. My report writing skills have become much better and I have learnt many skills surrounding the use of the computer systems used within the company.

I thoroughly enjoy the programme. I have learnt so much and I have met so many new people. Everyone is extremely kind and helpful and this has made it so much more enjoyable. I've travelled to places such as London, Leicester, WolverHampton and Northampton for work and I have loved every minute.

I would say there has been signs of a lack of organisation. When we first started, our teams were not entirely sure what to do with us as we were there first ever apprentices and we cam earlier than they expected. There has been a lot of miscommunication and changes in when we will be rotating around the teams. But as a structure in general, the majority has been very good.

I cannot say a bad thing about the support we get from our employer. We have had everything we need and more. We have been provided with all the equipment/books necessary to complete our college course and if we struggle in college, there is always someone we can talk to and they will help us. Our department have also been running additional electrical training sessions to help us.

There have been a few problems with our training provider. The college is a poorly organised and staff turnover is extremely high. Sometimes it feels as though that some teachers cant be bothered to help you or they just cant and it makes college difficult. Some teachers will give you all the support you need. Its a little hit and miss

I know the course I am doing is engineering and the industry I am in is engineering but I don't think the work I have been doing at college has been particularly helpful. A lot of the stuff I do at college, I will never do or need to know to work here. Yet things like CAD and materials can be very useful.

There are a few extra curricular activities that people can get involved in however, we are not told about them regularly and they are not advertised around the college very well. There are no extra curricular activities that relate to my line of work that can help me towards developing my skills.

Yes

I have found Siemens a great place to work. All the people are great, it has all the facilities to help develop you. I have been sent on numerous training courses. The pay is brilliant. The pension is amazing and the perks you get for working in such a big company are endless.

If I was to give someone a tip when applying, it would be know what you are applying for and what it is you actually want to do. When I joined my apprenticeship, I went through the first year not knowing what I would be doing when I started in the workplace.