Engineering Higher Apprentice Review

I am an engineering higher apprentice and I am studying 4 days a week at the SDC(Skills development centre), and one day a week at CEMAST/Fareham college. I have just finished training for bench fitting and will shortly be moving onto mechanical and electrical at the SDC. At CEMAST I am studying application of machine tools, analytical methods, mechanical principles and engineering science. In Easter I will be moving out of the SDC to go on placement at different areas of the business, while continuing my studies at CEMAST college.

During my time at the SDC I have learnt bench fitting which involves filing, drilling and precise measuring. I have never done anything like this before at school and it was a valuable skill to learn. My subjects at CEMAST continue to challenge me in new ways as I develop my knowledge in Maths, Physics and Application of machine tools.

I am thoroughly enjoying my program and I'm enjoying the new atmosphere that I didn't experience at school. It is a big step up from school and college in terms of developing my independence and taking responsibility for my own learning. I am looking forward to completing the rest of my program and moving forward into the business.

At the SDC my employers have laid out a 3 year program highlighting all the important information that I may need to consider going forward. Everything is well structured and I am totally sure of what I am meant to be doing at any given time. CEMAST college was slightly slow at the beginning of the term where we had no teachers for lessons where some teachers had left the previous term and the college had not yet found replacements. This meant we were slightly behind on our studies to start with, however they have now resolved the issues and we are soon to be back on track with our delivery

I get lots of support from my employer regarding my progress through my education, questions involving the apprenticeship. They also provide support for issues outside of work. There has been lots of courses a programs provided to us regarding safe guarding issues and health and safety. There is also a safeguarding officer in the SDC who we can go and talk to.

The training providers in the SDC are very professional and ensure we have enough training to be able to complete our work effectively and efficiently. At CEMAST they provide us with homework to complete at home and are very focused at delivering the lesson effectively so we understand the subjects.

My qualifications that I am working towards will be very useful in solving problems in my day to day role on the placement that I choose. I think it is very important that I learn my subjects effectively so that I can produce good work while out on placement in the business.

We have recently been offered to take part in helping for the schools engineering challenge. This involves going to schools around the area and helping the students design a model boat which must go around a course and deliver cargo. We are also going on outward bound in May/June 2020. This is where we go away for a week doing different activities such as hiking canoeing and gorge walking.

Yes

BAE is an innovative engineering company which prides itself on effective, efficient work as well as maintaining a high level of health and safety and quality of products produced. They look after their employees very well and it is a very reputable company to work for providing qualifications and work experience that I will use in the future.

Ensure that you the job role is actually what you want to progress in through your career. Make sure you work hard and give yourself plenty of opportunities to expand and gain more qualifications through the business making yourself more employable. Make sure to enjoy what you're doing so you are motivated and enthusiastic to come into work every day.