Manufacturing Engineering Apprentice Review

I am production support apprentice and my daily roles will be in supporting production , whether that be by organising spares for new projects, issuing maintenance orders to production or working on projects to improve production quality or cycle time. I am also helping the company to achieve the TS16949 quality standard by implementing validation records to our production.

I have learn't many new skills whilst working within the business such as working with controls and pneumatics to which I hadn't had much exposure before. As well as big developments in my approach to problem solving using a structured approach to problem solving using the expertise of many allows nothing to be ovr looked and resulting in root cause resolution rather than symptom resolution.

I throughly enjoy my program as it offers me a variety of different challenges to which I can support or lead and gives great job satisfaction when you are able to quantify the impact you are having.

I feel that I am a valued member of the plant as I carry responibilites and am entrusted to get tasks completed within tight deadlines, which I would only expect to be given if they see my potential and capabilities within the work place now and in the future when I hold a role of greater importance.

My program has structure as to which departments I work in and what qualifications I complete, but immense flexibility to what I type of work I do when in each department as well the duration I spend in each department. I feel this allows me to shape my career path from an early stage, giving me the option to spend more time in departments I see a future working within.

Birmingham metropolitan college provide support when required, but the insentive is on the apprentice to request the support rather than being spoon fed it.

At work I am aware that I can seek support with any task I am completeing but again the onus is on me to seek that support should I need it, this gives me the ability to work to the limits of my knowledge and ability without feeling isolated with out support.

The salary meets all of my living costs at present, however I do feel that I would struggle more should I be living away from home. Having said that for an apprenticeship the pay is very good, considering all training and qualifications are paid for by the company.

I play 5-a-side football with other members from the plant on weekly basis and there are other activities organised by employees that you can get involved in, I just choose not to.

Yes

Its a welcoming and supportive environment to work in which you learn, feel valued and gain experience, whilst working for a global company with an impressive reputation.

Contact the plant and organise work experience to get an insight, but do not be put of if you aren't as involved as you'd hoped as there are limitations to what you can do on work experience. In terms of the application process relax, relate to things you have done previously (at school, at home, clubs, previous work) and do some research into what we do on site so you aren't answering questions blind and if you don't know have guess or say you don't know as they don't expect you to know the answer to everything.