Engineering Apprentice Review

My role is an Engineering Technician. During my apprenticeship I get put inn different placements around the site to get a taste of what different departments do. Currently I am in fleet Technical Services. Currently it is my job to answer queries , I either do this myself or allocate the job to the correct people.

I have developed a wide range of skills since starting my apprenticeship, especially what it takes to work in a team and the importance of teamwork. I have also improved my ability to talk comfortably to new people. This is because I have to talk to different people on a daily basis about different tasks which may need doing

I enjoy my programme a lot as I get to be involved in something which I have wanted to be apart of for years , as aircraft have always interested me. I'm also surrounded by friendly and useful colleagues which make it all the more enjoyable. My work is also changing everyday which is nice as I'm not stuck doing the same thing

I know what ill be doing a year in advance. for example I have 3 placements in my second year and at the start of the year I knew what all three of them were and when I was going to be moving for each one. We can't be told in more advance than that because the placements depend on what the business needs.

We work in such a way that we are encouraged to try and solve problems ourselves and if we give it a go and make a mistake then its ok. However, there is always help available should we ask for it and everyone I have worked with so far has been more than happy to help. There is also extra help offered from the union.

We receive all of the support that we need with our qualifications. While we are completing a log our assessor occasionally comes to see us and has a look through them, he then gives us ways of possibly improving them. This process is repeated until the log is finished. We also receive support from our team leaders

My college helps with the general process of how the business operates. This is because one of the units is an organisational efficiency unit. This provides me with information regarding the consequences of my actions on the business. for example in terms of my efficiency and the impacts of various mistakes which may be made.

When we first started we had a week residential at the Outward Bound Trust. This was a week of completing fun activities such as raft building and tunneling. It was an effort to teach us the values of working as a team and the consequences of a failed tea. This was a very enjoyable and informative experience.

Yes

Its such a great com pan to work for in terms of variety of work you get to be involved in. as well as the very promising future aspiration with the company and chances to move up the ranks. I also just enjoy what I do and feel lucky to be here.

My main tip would be to study the air craft produced here. That would be a very large benefit as a lot of the jobs require you to have specific knowledge which I wish I knew when I entered the business. Although it is not essential as I am learning on the job.