Craft Mechanical apprentice Review

I am currently placed in plant maintenance in the main works site, the role has a wide variety of jobs. The team is split between mechanical and electrical workers, each of which perform several maintenance checks on machines and are called out for machine breakdowns or faults. Sometimes it has nothing to do with a machine, for example, replacing a rubber mat on a fitters workbench.

There has been plenty of skills that I have had to quickly pick up on and develop over my short time here at work, one of the main skills I've had to develop is communication. Plant maintenance is a very social area and everyone gets along, so being quiet and not getting involved means you wont be spoken to as much and wont be picked to go and help on jobs as much. it always helps to put yourself out there and be social so you can get along with the people you work with.

I am enjoying the apprenticeship program so far as it has helped develop my learning into mechanical engineering and has taught me many skills that I need in order to succeed. The work we had to do at college was relevant enough to prepare me for my workplace, I was taught the basics in how to interpret engineering drawings and manufacturing techniques.

The program is fairly well structured, there have not been may complications so far and everything has been planned out clearly. My future in the apprenticeship has all been planned out and I know what to do for my course and where I need to be during my work placements.

I have received a lot of support from my employer so far. They have set up my apprenticeship around me and have asked me when I am free for training and meetings before setting them, so I don't have to cancel anything and no dates collide with each other.

The training provider has given me everything I need when it comes towards training for my qualifications. Along with the standard presentations and workbooks they also give us mini tests, which helps keep everyone interested as we need to be active and alert for the questions. The trainers are also very well trained in the subject they are giving, so if we have a question that isn't part of their presentation, they can actually answer it in depth.

Through the training that has been provided, I am now aware of hazards that I didn't really notice before, like on abrasive wheels training I didn't know how many different variations there were and just how dangerous they are. the drawings training also helped a lot as I have been looking over many different machine drawings so I can understand how it works.

There is often many different extra curricular activities to get involved in at work. Recently there was a charity football match we could get involved in and plenty of people did. We are also allowed to take two paid days off to help volunteering for local charities or local organizations.

Yes

I would definitely recommended the company as the apprenticeship pays well and the skills taught and developed are well worth learning if you are interested in mechanical or electrical engineering. Working for Siemens also looks really good on your CV and it helps broaden your future career. If you come here already with a B-tech or A-level in engineering, you are put onto a HNC in mechanical engineering, which makes you look even better and helps you learn more skills.

I would recommend that you get as much experience as possible with both engineering experience and team working skills. I di this with work experience at three different engineering companies and for team building I did my Duke of Edingborough bronze award. I would also say to be enthusiastic, don't be over enthusiastic as it does show however.