Aerospace Engineering Apprentice Review

My role involves rotation around different engineering departments, being assigned tasks and projects to teach me new skills, developing personal and soft skills as well as technical knowledge. Once or twice a week we get a day release to complete university work and attend lectures. We interact with other apprentices as well as full time staff.

Yes, I have attended training in lots of technical aspects of my role - for example for industry specific software for stress, design and F&DT. There is also opportunities to attend workshops on public speaking, go to outward bounds for team building exercises and learn about the build by doing a day in the life of a shop floor engineer.

I enjoy the amount of opportunities given as well as made possible given your own initiative. We are treated as independent young adults and it is great to learn first hand from industry experts. The programme can be stressful at times, especially around exam and submission time because of work commitments.

The last two years have been organised much better, with our timetables being released in time and the content of our course better known. There are a few mentoring systems in place for the new intakes and for applying for an IEng chartership. There is good and consistent communication between the apprentices and the early careers managers and with regard to day to day it is entirely team dependent.

Everyone is open to help, people like sharing their knowledge. There is full access to all HR services, health support like mental health services, nurses and physio on site. The general attitude is positive and I feel supported from all sides. We can choose our own mentors depending in what our interests are.

We dint get much support from city of Bristol college when we were there in first year. It is a pretty independent effort for our qualifications, the university doesn't seem too concerned with us either. Overall this aspect is not great but it doesn't have to be because everyone manages on their own.

The NVQS werent too closely related to the needs of the job, although the hands on learning was interesting. The university degree is a little to theoretical, there isnt much that applies to the day job. The job itself seems to teach the most by far. I feel confident I can succeed after the two aspects are combined, it works well together.

Yes there are clubs like meditation, sports, baking competitions and lots of volunteering. Theres plenty of STEM activities too. A lot of these are out of work time, some are within. There are annual events like trade and air shows we attend and company events such as dinners and conferences.

Yes

Being here has presented many opportunities, from getting the experience and education, to international travel and training events which I wouldnt otherwise have access to. The apprenticeship has definitely expanded my horizons far more than just college or university would. I recommend it to anyone.

Be yourself Show your passion for engineering at the interview Prove it with examples Show a general interest in aviation Try to ensure your maths and physics is to a good level Don't be scared to ask questions, everyone is so lovely and willing to share what they know