Engineering Undergraduate Apprentice Review

My role changes depending on my location within the business at each placement however it is primarily to work with that placement to provide work to a high quality to a deadline with other members of staff. These placement are chosen by myself to give me the best possible opportunity to explore and learn about the business while providing support to the team I am with. This is coupled with spending 2 days a week at university.

Throughout the apprenticeship I have learned and developed many skills, both relating specifically to an engineering environment and to general soft skills such as teamwork. Many of the areas in which I have improved skills are to do with software and technical programmes that are used within Airbus to develop aircraft. Skills such as teamwork, presentation skills and other soft skills have also been developed through my time as an apprentice. Many skills have also been developed through university as I learn more.

Overall I would say I have enjoyed a fair amount of the course however there are a number of aspects that have taken away from the enjoyment of the course. Namely the communication between Airbus and the university/college regarding dates and general information being relayed between the two. Another thing I would change is some of the organization of the university coursework as I feel with us only being there part time should be taken into account, this is a factor which can take away an enjoyment factor from the course.

On the whole the course has a reasonable level of organization and this is slowly improving. At the start of the apprenticeship when we spent a year at college full time I didn't feel part of a business and felt more a college student than an employee. It also includes the fact that for some of our 1st and 2nd year modules we weren't taught the lectures and had to do these in our own time in order to get a good grade. The course within work is well structured and I feel like I know what I need to do.

Throughout the apprenticeship there has always been someone who is able to answer any queries I may have or know someone who can. At all times there are at least three people who I class as managers, I have my placement manager, my target area owner and my overall manager who have different focuses on different areas of my progression and I can contact them if I need help.

University teach us all our lectures and tutorials and also provide a base for any questions about the course we may have. They do this to a good standard and provide us with quick responses when asked about something. Regarding the level 4 NVQ we have much less support from college on this and I would like to see some more help in this aspect.

The university course provides a good theoretical background that I can apply in work such as stress analysis design principles and material specifications all get applied into a work environment depending on my current placement. This is beneficial as it means that I am more able to start work in my placement with less prior training as I have had a start from uni.

Yes there are a few activities to get involved in within the business. There is a 5-a-side football league, work lunches, lunchtime activities and more that can be participated in. Being a member of university I would like to be able to join in more of the societies there however we are unable to with work.

Yes

I would recommend Airbus to a friend because it is a company that helps its workers and provides a friendly atmosphere to work and many opportunities and avenues to work in and a flexible method of transferring between them. I believe that the apprenticeship and Airbus as a whole has helped me a lot.

I would advise anyone who wants to apply for the Airbus apprenticeship to prepare and thoroughly look through their CV and ensure it is kept up to date. I would also advise anyone applying to not be afraid of going for it and that read the application instructions thoroughly to make sure you don't miss anything.