Eningeer Apprentice Review

My role as an engineering apprentice involves many different tasks on a day to day basis. within the first year you are mainly based at college and this is where you learn your theory side of the course. this consist of write ups and knowledge questions on different modules. However In the half terms and summer breaks we are based at the airport watching along and getting involved in the day to day jobs the engineering team deal with.

Within the first year I have learnt many new skills for the task we are doing when over at the airport. However most of these skills are built up and learnt from other engineers at the airport and not much skills are learnt from the college. This is due to the implications we have been having while at the two college's. the experience over at the airport is great and the experience we need for the job is very beneficial.

The program as a whole is very enjoyable and the skills and knowledge you get throughout the program is very beneficial for all sorts of engineer. I feel the first year at college could possibly be changed to 2/3 days at college as the course is not that detailed for the first year and I feel there are a lot of times where being at the airport getting hands on experiences would be very beneficial. However the course I am on is extremely good and would recommend to others.

The programs layout of doing the first year at college and the next 3 years on day release is great. the first year does give you some knowledge and understand on working in a big industry for those who have just come out of college. however I feel that its a struggle for those who have come from working back to college again. the structure of the course is well laid out and the modules we learn at college are very beneficial. For the work we do later in the course.

The support I receive from both my employer and other staff members within Stansted is very good. if we have any problems with the college or staff or anything we all know we can contact our line manager and have a chat to him. this is the same with all management at the airport. they are all very friendly and approachable and therefore the support is there if needed. we have had many problems with the college and our line manager along with [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyApprenticeship Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] have been there to support and arrange meetings to sort it out.

the support we receive from the college as a whole is not the best. however certain indivuals have both been there to support and help us learn and get the course done to our best standard. some problems with the college as a whole on confusion with the course we are doing and the lessons being taught by which teacher is a major issue at the moment as we are struggling to carry on with certain modules due to this lack of teaching. such as finding a teacher to teach the electrical unit at this present moment.

I feel that the college as a whole is the problem and not the criteria we are learning. The issue is with the teaching staff and finding the correct staff for the criteria is the hardest part. We are struggling to find certain teachers for the maintenance part as many teachers at Harlow are machinist. However the criteria we are learning is great and very beneficial when we do get taught it. It also is very helpful when taking this knowledge over to the airport and putting it into practice. therefore the training we are given when we have the correct staff is helpful and helps us perform better in my role.

when it comes to extra curricular activities there are a few outside of work. I know there are few sporting activities. The teams as a shift such as blue and green shift organise weekends away. I know blue shift are doing a golfing weekend. this helps the team bond and become more than just colleagues at work. having this friendship outside of work helps get along at work and therefore perform much better in your job role when working with others. Due to being first year I have not been on any of these weekends away however when given the opportunity I will be attending.

Yes

I would recommend MAG airport to many friends due to many reason. I feel like the course I am on is very beneficial if you are interesting in that type of role and the skills and support you get with the airport is amazing. I also feel MAG is a well established company but is not too big where you don't get to feel as a family or welcome to the business. MAG is very supportive and everyone at the airport gets along with each other due to the way MAG run.

When it comes to giving advice and tips to others joining or applying for MAG I feel like there are a few things to remember. One being that it is a big industry and therefore being professional is key. There are a lot of management with this company and therefore if you are respectful and work hard then they will respect and look after you. this includes turning up on time to work and working hard when you are there and not leaving early.