Mechanical/Manufacturing Higher Apprentice Review

Currently I am in a placement in an outfit department where most of my day to day tasks are usually different. A lot of it has involved using the mathematical skills I learned at college (e.g. Force Calculation), using CAD to find data or using spread sheets to format and collate data.

I have massively developed my presentations skills through various group exercises and improved my confidence in this. My technical skills have also been developed through in work training on CAD and from colleagues when I have required help with things such as work practices, mathematics and IT. My social skills have also been improved when grouped with people I don't know.

At the start of the apprenticeship I was quite bored as we had to stay at college for 7 weeks doing group tasks due to administrative issues (caused by an exterior company) and then we didn't get to start in placements for 2 months as they believed we would need more time for college than we did. However, since starting my placement I have been very content.

Initially it felt very disorganised as several basic events and activities were cancelled with no reasons given and other events that did go ahead were clearly intended for use with much younger children in school events. My placement manager wasn't even aware that I was starting there until a week before and had very little for me to initially.

If I were to require it I have access to several different services for things like occupational health, mental health and other support. I also know that if I am struggling with college, I can ask Early Careers and they will sort out things like additional study time or even one-to-one tutoring in work.

I feel that I can always ask my tutors for additional support at college if I am struggling with a particular subject. They can provide me with either additional work materials or one-to-one help on any subject. They are also happy to answer any questions about the various assignments and exams.

The qualification I am studying towards (a Degree in Mechanical Engineering) will be essential in many of the different roles I may perform in the placements as the technical understanding it provides will allow me to complete tasks that would be far to complicated without it. Many of the engineering placements I could see will require a high level of understanding to even begin working on.

There is a massive range of different activities I could sign up to if I wished to help fulfil various competencies. This is mainly focused towards things such as community activities and school visits (e.g. STEM), but also includes things like being on a team of apprentices that helps organise next years apprenticeship interviews.

Yes

Because it is a massive company with the resources to pay you a more than competitive salary whilst being in a work site were you get to see processes and items that you can't see or be involved with anywhere else in the country as well as allowing you to contribute to national defence.

Have an engineering background as project managers that don't are not seen favourably by everybody else. Also be prepared for large amounts of inefficient burocracy as the size of the company results in many inefficiency's that can be aggravating at times. I would also say to not be afraid to ask questions as many colleagues won't always ask you if your stuck.