Leather shop Apprentice Review

I work on the shop floor of the leathershop in a zone for around 3 months in each placement. My day would include attending the morning meeting then working within the team , this can include shadowing an associate on a particular part then being allowed to cover the part whilst being supervised.

I have learnt a lot of new skills while developing existing ones. This would include learning how to prepare leather by hide marking, cutting, sorting then preping it so its ready to cover car parts, I am aslo going to be trained how to sew the parts for the cars. I have learnt a lot about health and safety.

I very much enjoy the programme. I am learning a lot at work and I really enjoy the college element to the apprenticeship. It has given me confidence in my abilities as a person and pushed me to try something new. I am an older apprentice so am very grateful for the opportunity.

The programme at work is very well structured and I know where I will be from one placement to another, we also get the opportunity to work on special projects which makes you think out of the box. College on the other hand is not so organised, it is very frustrating that things are sprung on us at a moments notice.

I have recieved a huge amount of support from my empolyer which has been great. They are always open to our suggestions and if it can be implimented then it will be. They are very keen to make the apprenticeship as good as it can me and take on board what the apprentices need.

We are given hand outs during our class room time and are asked to read it, we do get exams sprung on us with not really enough time to revise due to work commitments. The college have the attitude that as we finish work at 2.30 then we have lots of time to revise and catch up with course work. we do however work from 6am....

We are covering car parts at work and then move to covering chairs and foot stools at college, there are some cross overs with how materials work but there are few cross overs to be honest. I enjoy the college course and like the fact that it is creative. Work is less creative but still very relevent.

We have a range of extra curricular activities available, some social like a summer family day, the leathershop produces gifts for the kids on this day which is lovely to get involved with. We also have a christmas lunch for the team. There are also professional opportunities to get involved wtih, currently we are helping the local primary school build their race car for the Goblin race day.

Yes

I would recommend Rolls Royce to a friend as they are a good employer, if you work hard and stay focused then you will be rewarded. It is like a family in the way they offer support and training should you need it. If we have problems at college they are very quick to try and resolve the problem and make it better.

I would say go for it.... Be yourself, work hard and you will do well. At Rolls Royce they want you to enjoy the apprenticeship but expect you to work hard at both work and college. You will spend time watching other associates but this is invaluable training for when you are in my case covering parts yourself.