Quality Apprentice Review

There are placements in quality departments around the business. My current placement is in hot test. You learn how engines are rigged and different methods to find faults. I have been involved in stripping engines and looking at data from some test cycles to determine methods to improve the tests.

The theory side of the apprenticeship has involved building on maths and engineering skills that could be used in the workplace. I have learnt how to run tests on fluids used in the machining area of manufacture and how the results affect production. The apprenticeship also builds on the practical skills that were learnt at college in the first year

The apprenticeship is very enjoyable as there are lots of different areas to learn about. There is something new to work on every day, which has kept me really interested in the work-based side of the apprenticeship. I am surrounded by lots of friendly people including both apprentices and fully qualified workers.

The first year is spent full time at a college learning the necessary bench skills for engineering. this is followed by three years of planned placements around the business in areas relevant to the job role. During the last three years, one day a week is spent at college/university on the theory side of the apprenticeship.

There are active discussions between the employer and the apprentices to highlight areas of improvement for the apprenticeship and check everything is on track. If someone is struggling with the apprenticeship, they are offered support. This could include both the college work and work within placements in the engineering business.

The training provider are useful in providing documents to aid the research on assignments we have been given. there are various methods of obtaining the information so that the training provider can accommodate most people. The course has been tailored for apprentices so that we can cover all the work in one day a week.

The qualification that I am working towards includes units such as maths, materials and quality. These are extremely useful as a quality apprentice as we require a quality apprentice since they provide the theory for some of the work I have done. The quality unit has taught me different methods of analysing data, which has played a big role in my placement.

Different departments run various activities including some social events. All the apprentices are really friendly and tend to arrange extra curricular activities between themselves. We have been involved in some networking events such as the engineering show, where you can look around stalls and learn what other engineering companies do.

Yes

This apprenticeship allows you to work towards a degree while gaining experience in the working environment. Degree work becomes tailored towards the role you are likely to end up in. The apprenticeship also allows you to gain experience working in different departments that you wouldn't understand fully if you were to start a job with this company without doing the apprenticeship.

Firstly make sure that you pick the job role you think you will enjoy the most. There are opportunities to move around the business during and after the apprenticeship, but it is important to know that you want the job and what to learn when applying for this particular apprenticeship.