Mechanical Engnieering Apprentice Review

I move round placements every 6 months. I am currently in the PCB design team and spend my day to day designing some of the smaller PCBs for the team as well trying to understand what sorts of problem the team faces and how the have to solve these problems.

Yes I have learn a huge amount of skills that will help me through out my working life. Not just engineering skills either I have also learnt how work efficiently in a team and how to deal with and solve real world problems as and when they pop up.as well as how to take responsibility's.

I would say my program has gotten better as it has gone on. my fist couple of placements looking more at the business side of things and i knew it was something I wasn't interested in, however the skills i picked up in these placements have helped set me up for my more recent placements which i really enjoy.

There is a definite structure to the program with placements being planed ahaed of time I know where in going and when. I have always through that they are well organised there is a definite structure. sometimes it can be poorly communicated out to the apprentices but when ever i have raised a question or problem it has always been well received.

I would say I receive just the right amount of help there's always people willing to help but there's also a lot of acceptance to people learning and making little mistakes people are encouraged to "have a go" without placing the pressure on. yet there has always been help when I've needed it

my training provided (Oakland collage) is unorganised and I receive very little help from them. the majority of my assignments I will teach my self it seem like there to busy with not enough tutors / teachers for all the students. there is also no differentiations everyone is treated the same regardless of if you are ahead or behind.

I don't feel like I use my qualification at all really. 90% of the things I have used I have had to teach my self regardless of my qualification. I will research a subject and teach my self to help support me in which ever role I'm in. I feel like the skills I learn are all theoretical and I'm not trusted to put them into practice at work.

Yes there are. although I do not take part in any I have heard good things about them though. we have a lots of sports teams Football, Tag Rugby, Golf, Water Polo and all sorts if your interested chances are there's a team or group that go and do that.

Yes

I feel like its a great company to work for and they really look after there employees i have always been welcomes into each department I have been into. my lack of knowledge is always understood and people will take the time to explain things to you rather that holding it against you.

I would tell them to keep there options open and not put to all your eggs in one basket. have a look at what else is out there and look what they all offer then make a decision. i applied for a few apprenticeships and chose MBDA as i felt it was the best fit for me.