Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprentice Review

On a Monday and Tuesday I study at Furness Academy working towards a HNC in mechanical engineering. The lessons I am currently sitting are CAD, Science, Project, Aspects. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday I am in the business. I receive different tasks after each is completed, these tasks range in difficulty and contents. My current work project is updating documents to match new drawings.

In college I have developed many skills, one prominent one is my ability to use computer aided software. I am able to design components from 2D drawings and also create a product from a requirement. Another skill I have developed in college is problem solving in the Project lesson in which the task was to think of a problem and solve it. In the business I have developed soft skills such as patience and communication.

My programme offers me challenges that keeps me engaged, some days can be stressful and others easy. The variety of tasks I participate in keeps me interested and heavily contributes towards my overall satisfaction. I very much enjoy my course it has opened new doors and allowed me to network with a wide range of people.

When the course began it was very unorganised, as it being a new scheme to the business their was a number of questions that were left un answered. As time has passed the programme has been clarified and adjusted to be well structured. Communication can be lacking at times due to security leading to poor organisation.

I don't require large amount of support I prefer to solve issues myself their for I don't receive a lot of support however I do believe their is a solid network in place if I ever needed help. I have contacts that could solve most if not all of the problems I may face in an average day.

Our training provider expects us to have a level of competence that requires us to undertake our own study out of college. This means that we are expected to find out own support with online tools and peer help however the college teachers are available via email if other avenues are unsuccessful. As we only see the tutors on a Monday and Tuesday it can be a long period of time before we get a face to face interaction to solve any issues.

As I am new to my role I haven't had much experience with engineering in the business, due to this I can not comment on how it allows me to perform better until I have undertaken more tasks. However I do feel the knowledge I have learnt thus far allows me to understand topics that my team discuss without having to ask lots of questions.

Their are stretch activities that can be undertaken by apprentices. Stretch involves a wide range of activities but they are all essentially networking opportunities and I chance to develop different competencies that you can not achieve through your everyday role. Their is also a residential trip which happens in every apprentices first year which is compulsory.

Yes

The pay is very good, it allows me to live a basic life and not be in debt at the end of my scheme. It is also a good experience to have while getting a degree. I feel like any degree apprenticeship is much better than university and would recommend any BAE apprenticeship to my friends

Don't apply if your highest level of qualification is a B-Tech, you will struggle as a HNC is a large step up from B-Tech and not from A-Level. You will be in a class with people who understand the topics inside and out where you have never had any experience, it can be demoralising and degrading feeling like everyone else isn't struggling and you are.