marine engineer Review

i am a metal fabricator who repairs and helps with building and maintenance of warships. This involves working with my tools and technical drawings whether I am fixing or maintaining areas of a ship. Sometimes I will be given a job and have to manufacture a part in a workshop to then be taken and fitted on ship.

I've gone from having no experience in this trade at all to being competent and qualified in metal fabrication. I now can use heavy machinery, I am licensed to drive a cherry picker and know I know all about the fabrication of ships and different areas of metal work whether its sheet metal work or heavy steel fabrication.

I think the programme is great for an income and career opportunity but there definitely is a few downfalls in regards to the organisation side of the apprenticeship. The qualifications you gain and the knowledge and skills are second to none, however sometimes I think the way the apprenticeship is run is a little unorganised and there was numerous times our instructors were unsure of what was coming next or where some of our work was.

As I said previously the organisation is where the programme lacks, from the planning of what is coming next in regards to the programme structure. The organisation of each individuals paperwork, multiple employees had to re-do some of their paperwork as the instructors had misplaced or lost them. I think this is one of the biggest downfalls with the programme and should definitely be addressed.

The support is pretty good in relation to work, health and well-being and welfare. Providing you have the correct attitude towards your employer showing the right respect you will receive great support. The employer still looks after people who don't give the correct attitude but of course that brings difficulty. overall I feel the support is great whether you feel unwell, have troubles at home or you are just looking for some help with your work.

I received a great deal of help where and when needed and applicable. With my NVQ qualification I received great help in regards to what was needed to pass etc. With my PEOs I received lots of help towards the pass level, little help towards the Merit grade and next to no help for the distinction.

My qualification helped a little bit but I feel it didn't ready me for the outside world, it seemed more of just a tick box exercise to show that you were using everything they needed to see. The work sometimes wasn't there but the paperwork had to be complete one way or another.

I don't necessarily look into this too much however; I believe there are football teams and other sports clubs to join in with. I know there is a good fitness and gym facility on the base which is great for keeping fit outside of work hours and this is offered at a great price.

Yes

The government are paying a great wage for you to learn and become qualified in a well recognised trade. You have great benefits such as a great pension, shares scheme and incentive, holiday pay, bank holidays and a great career with opportunity to progress as high as your mind has ambition too.

Be open minded as to where you want to go within the company. Be yourself and be confident towards what you want to do. Keep a good head on your shoulders and don't ever become complacent. work hard, show you are willing and you are bound to succeed with bae.