Level 6 Manufacturing Apprentice Review

I love my daily job. There are a wide range of projects and tasks to get involved with that really help to stretch and develop my skills. The business managers are really supportive and helpful. I attend university 1 day per week.

I have learnt a range of new skills from metal working to computer coding. We are continually encouraged to develop our skill sets.

I love my day job. However, the pressure applied through NVQ level 2, NVQ Level 4, degree work and a poor apprentice support structure frequently drives me to the edge of despair. The NVQ level 4 gets in the way of my day job, holding me back and distracting me from business tasks. I frequently have to study outside of work in order to keep up. This results in feeling burnt out, continuously exhausted and mentally drained. A 10 hour university day usually leaves me questioning is this really worth it anymore?

The organisation of the programme is extremely poor. The list of NVQ units changes depending on who I speak too. It's incredibly difficult to get a straight answer from anyone. The college don't have a clue. The NVQ level 2 that I completed in year 1 was the wrong qualification for my apprentice standard. The units have had to be mapped across to the correct qualification, otherwise I will not be able to pass the apprenticeship. I have a non existent placement plan and my training plan is shrouded in myth and legend.

The business managers are incredibly supportive and helpful. They share my frustrations regarding the external training provider. The pastoral care has improved massively since I started. However, I believe that there is a lot of improvement required by the central team in Derby to demystify exactly what NVQ units and qualifications I need to complete.

The university provides a lot of help and support. Overall I'm happy with my experience there. The college (NVQ provider) is shockingly bad. On my first day at college I was presented with a drawing of a plumb Bob and told to use the lathe to make it. I was left unattended and given no training or safety induction to the college workshop. The college continue to give out NVQ unit lists that are incorrect.

My university studies help me massively. I apply the knowledge from my course to my daily work frequently. My NVQ is and annoyance and subtracts massive amounts of my time. It's unhelpful and holds me back. NVQ is the main source of frustration and stress. Everything would be so much better without it.

There's a lot of activities that I can get involved in. Events are frequent and well attended. Most event are partly subsidised. Weekly sports clubs and monthly socials are a great way to relax and forget about the trauma of NVQ work. I have some really strong relationships with people I have meet through the apprenticeship.

No

Do I want to work for RR: yes. However, the poor organisation, poor pay and stress of the apprenticeship just isn't worth it. I've only stayed because I've made it this far already. With the benefit of hindsight I would have accepted an offer at another company.

Don't