Engineering Apprentice Review

Throughout my apprenticeship, I have rotated through three different areas, TTS, AGL and Terminal. This means that I have learnt a lot of different skills from mechanical to electrical and things in between. On AGL we work on the FEGP, taxiway lights, runway lights, Safe docks, airfield signs. In TTS, we maintain the Transit system and perform scheduled maintenance and attend any breakdowns. In terminal, we work on anything from X-Ray machines to the baggage system.

I have learnt a lot of new skills throughout my apprenticeship and continue to learn new things constantly. The apprenticeship has taught me skills in mechanical work, electrical work, safety and personal development. I have learnt how to maintain specialist equipment and how they work as well as how to fix something or find a solution to a problem under time pressures.

I enjoy the apprenticeship. It is a good apprenticeship that has opened up a whole world of possibility for me to go into in the future should I want to. There are so many new skills and tasks that I have learned to do. I learn on a day to day basis something new and that makes the day enjoyable.

The structure is organised to some extent, specifically with the structure for what happens in what year of the apprenticeship according to college and the way in which the shift occurs. The way in which we are put in each department to the next is structured according to the roster, however, ideally I would like to spend more time on one shift instead of having to swap so often and everything becomes very inconsistent.

I receive support from the teams around me when I am on their shifts. They tend to make sure that as an apprentice I have something to do and someone to go out and do jobs with. I get some support from my manager, but not enough in terms of guidance and supporting me throughout my time in the company.

I receive a bit of support, however there is room for a lot more support to be given. For the NVQ there is very little support given and I was left to work it out for myself and not helped or guided in what I was supposed to do. The other courses I have completed have given me some support throughout.

I feel like the qualifications that I have gained have helped me in some ways understand things at work in more depth. Specifically health and safety, legislation's, six sigma, maths and the engineering management unit. These have helped me gain a more in depth knowledge, which I can apply at work.

There are company events that occur occasionally throughout the year, local community volunteer projects and social events. These are avaiable to all employees and can be attended if you would like. Not living close to the airport makes it hard for me to get involved in certain events, however they are available.

Yes

I would recommend MAG airports to a friend specifically the apprenticeship due to the fact that they pay well, they allow the opportunity to get a lot of experience, specialist knowledge, good amount of useful qualifications and they are a good company to work for. I have learnt a lot of life skills as well as work skills.

I would say to ensure that they have the passion or want to be in the area of their application. If there is no passion or want there there is no point applying. Make sure you understand the way that work life works and ensure that they are mature and old enough to fend for themselves.