Assembly Apprentice Review

I am an assembly apprentice at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and spend one day a week at the Goodwood Plant and four days at Chichester College studying a manufacturing engineering course. When I am at the plant I am based on the assembly line learning how to build the cars. Currently I am learning two different stations which involve the fitment of the bumpers, the grill and the Spirit of Ecstasy. At college we are learning multiple skills such as welding, bench fitting and building electronic circuits. Due to the apprenticeship being revolved around cars, we also have one day a week at the motor mechanics site at college.

Since I have started the apprenticeship I have learnt new skills such as welding when we have been doing it at college. Other skills such as bench fitting and circuit building have developed since I have started doing it again at college. I first learnt the basics of these skills when I was at secondary school 2-3 years ago, but now I'm doing it at college as part of the apprenticeship, they have improved a lot. Helping build the Rolls-Royce cars has helped develop my skills when it comes to using tools and fixings. Just being at the plant working with other people has generally improved my people skills, due to the large amount of employees working, you have to be confident and talk to lots of new people.

I thoroughly enjoy the programme as I am learning a lot whilst having a good time. Working at the plant is never dull as you are always kept busy and surrounded by good people. College is enjoyable as you are with the other apprentices and can learn from each other. The course is good because there are a lot of practical activities which stop you from getting bored of the written work. The theory side of the course isn't too bad and is manageable. There is a lot of work but there is plenty of time to do it so there isn't much pressure.

I find that the programme is well organised as we have our set days at college where we have lessons and places to be, then at work we have our designated stations where we are learning parts of the workstations. At college we have quite a bit of self-study now due to completing the practical work, but the general layout of the programme is good and clear.

If I ever needed support from my employer I am sure i will receive some, whether the problem is to do with work or if it's outside of work. Sometimes I find that the communication can be quite poor and I'm not too sure what is going on. This can leave me confused and often asking a lot of questions but not getting any answers.

When we are based at college I find that our lecturers give us a lot of support. When working on assignments some questions can be quite broad but we are able to get more support and help so we can be put back on track and carry on with the work. The same goes for the practical side, if we are ever stuck we will receive the support we need to continue with the work.

All of the practical courses at college help me to perform better at work, this is thanks to the different things we do. When we are working at the Automotive side of the college we are learning the technical side to the cars and this benefits us when it comes to working at the plant.

So far I have not been involved in any extra-curricular activities at work, but I am aware that some employees do GO karting and football, but I think these are arranged by themselves rather than the company. We do have the choice sometimes to help out in special projects but due to being a college four days a week we can barely get involved.

Yes

It is a good work environment and has lots of benefits that come with the job. There are lots of job opportunities and lots of different roles to fit different types of people, because of this the plant is full of different people creating a nice working environment and makes work more enjoyable.

Try your hardest and be confident, there are lots of different roles so if you don't fit the job role you are applying for, you may be offered a job in another department that will fit your characteristics. If you don't succeed, definitely try again as it is worth it when you get a job.