Mechanical Apprentice Review

I work as part of the MEICA team which is responsible for tasks involving mechanical and electrical issues and designs relating to Energy projects primarily across the UK. My main tasks involve CAD design, assisting engineers and writing reports. If I have any free time I will work on my NVQ or college work.

Since starting at Arup, I have learnt a variety of skills through my day to day work, my college course and my apprenticeship development. One of the main skills I have learnt/developed is my CAD ability. I now have the confidence to complete a wide variety of tasks on MicroStation independently.

I thoroughly enjoy my programme. Arup is a great company to work for, with lots of job roles and work types available. There is a very good culture within Arup which promotes curiosity and asking questions, with no fear of being looked down upon for doing so. This creates a positive environment which encourages development.

As I am approaching the end of my programme, I now feel like I understand how the apprenticeship process works, however I feel like it would be beneficial at the start to have an in depth presentation and discussion with both the training provider and the company so that everyone is on the same page in regards to timings, key dates, expectations etc.

I receive lots of support from my employer/team to help me progress with my apprenticeship. There is always someone on hand to try and answer any questions I may have. As I am the first one on my pathway, It can seem a little daunting at times but as long as I ask the right people the right questions I can usually find the answer.

Stegta, and in particular [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyApprenticeship Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] are very supportive of me working towards my qualifications. They support me through regular catch ups and email/phone communication. [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyApprenticeship Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] checks that I am progressing at an appropriate rate by setting me targets to complete before my next review. This ensures that by the end of my programme I will have met all the appropriate criteria.

My qualification has a set of defined Skills, Knowledge and Behaviours that I need to display throughout the course of my apprenticeship. By displaying these in the workplace it allows me to perform my role to a higher standard. I have increased my knowledge about my role and the engineering industry, which benefits both myself and Arup.

Arup has a wide variety of extra-curricular activities to get involved in. I attend the Arup 6 aside football every Thursday. It provides a great opportunity to socialise with people who may be out of my direct team. Every summer there is a inter-Arup 6 aside tournament which is hosted by one of the european offices, most recently it was in Cork, Ireland. There are many other opportunities such as Ski Trips, Go Karting etc.

Yes

I would recommend Arup to a friend as it is a very good company to work for with lots of opportunities to develop and further my knowledge. There is a very enjoyable culture at Arup, which makes it a rewarding place to work. I believe there are plenty of opportunities to work your way up through the company.

When selecting the apprenticeship scheme you would like to be considered for, ensure that it sounds like the type of work you would enjoy doing. You can get a good feel for the apprenticeship by reading the job description and by attending the apprentice open evening, where you can talk to current apprentices.