Engineering Opperations Review

My current role is within the engineering operations team. I am part of running the process improvement initiatives focusing in risk and opportunities management as well as taking on the role of agile coach, working with a team to adopt agile behaviors and the scrum methodology. My projects I am to be taking on are involving knowledge sharing, a scheme to help experienced engineering experts to pass on their knowledge before they are to retire or leave the company preventing a single point of failure, this allows for networking, and training practices.

Managing projects and teams, excel capabilities such as pivot tables, working with multiple stakeholders in the face of adversity within some areas, self motivated projects learning how to prioritise tasks and push them to completion. Training courses involved Learn six sigma, this is about the way in which a process can be improved which can then contribute towards a greenbelt qualification. Change Acceleration Process (CAP) which is surrounding how to make change happen and get people on board. Learning Hoshin Kanri (HK) initiatives which is to be driven across the company.

The culture is very friendly. The Managers both during your rotation (area in project working in a 6-8 month time frame) and for the apprenticeship are very supportive and my team are always willing to help. Within the operations team there is an abundance of tasks and projects to get involved with and the chance to experience them all based on your need for example meeting IET competencies which is a beneficial qualification gained during the apprenticeship which helps progress towards chartership supported for the future.

Support is excellent with transparency in conversations allowing for help to be provided where needed. The program allows apprentices to experience a multitude of disciplines and teams as the rotate in 6 months slots around the business. This allows apprentices long enough to learn their new role and discipline and continue to apply their new learnings in positively providing to the project but short enough to allow for new learning and development to continue with a good number of experiences to happen by moving around the business learning to become a well rounded engineer. Apprentices are encouraged to network and are assigned mentors as well as picking up mentors throughout the course. The scheme is structure with set university days, tollgates to meet each year for progression including professional development programs which allow you to experiences attributes in leading teams, managing projects, organizing finances, representing the company and working with external and internal customers and suppliers.

The Personal development touchpoint system allows for mandatory monthly meetings with your managers. Apprentices get assigned multiple mentors either apprentices years above or alumni as well as higher managers which even though originally assigned, can be changed and added as the apprenticeship progresses through networking. Additional support if provided through the university or college. General support by my manager provided is excellent with extra hours put in.

Additional support is available throughout the year however it can be difficult to distinguish timings for these due to busy schedule with working most of the week and a 45minutes -1hour travel for university as well as getting time with lecturers during their busy schedule. Help is still provided through previous lecturers at the college which is attended during the first three years of the apprenticeship, this is a lot closer so available during out of office hours more accessibly. Help is especially high during exam season which is helpful.

Most recently, professionalism for Engineers has helped me learn different application styles of people which has lead me to approach situations within the workplace differently. I have used my knowledge in understanding code language to help me within excel. The language surrounding electronics hardware has allowed me to contribute towards technical conversations.

Last year the company took part in the corporate games which was a weekend event where multiple sports were part of. I took part in the dragon boat racing with various employees as well as a few apprentices which was fun to try a different sport which none of the team had tried before, however we still managed to come 2nd in! There are health and inclusion focused weeks and initiatives in aid of improving diversity and inclusion as well as mental health initiatives and eco focused weeks. There are also yammer pages for various topics which is similar to a business Facebook which allows you to post interests around topics. I myself am in the diversity inclusion page, environment and women's network.

Yes

It is a very supporting company with many areas to get involved with. Big movement on progression and the availability to move around disciplines and departments. The apprenticeship program offers many areas for progression, professional development and experience within a large working culture with the chance to experience many different events such as business events in the house of Lourdes, conferences in London, awards ceremonies, team building activities in Devon etc. A well as the chance to network with many different people keeping your options open to progress further.

Have a keen interest in aviation and engineering applications. Take part in extra curricular activities to show initiatives to try new things. Participate in team activities. Be ready for the work environment and show the initiative to want to progress, improve and learn more. Understand how to work with people. Work hard