Maintenance Apprentice Review

I work in the maintenance department. Our department is responsible for ensuring the factory is running. When a machine breaks down, we are called to fix it. As well as reactive maintenance, we do planned maintenance when the production line is not running which is during the night. I am on a three shift cycle. As a last year apprentice, I am trusted to go to jobs alone and fix them without supervision, however when I need help there is always someone to help me.

When starting my apprenticeship, even though I was interested, I had no knowledge of electrical and mechanical work. I had never been in a factory environment so everything was new to me. I started my first year learning the basics of health and safety within a training center. Since then I have learnt many new skills such as welding, fabrication, electrical work, and using a scissor lift/ cherry picker. I have also developed personal skills such as confidence and public speaking.

I enjoy working at Cummins. I am surrounded by and nice team of people that help me when I need it. It is a small department so I know the people I work with very well. the managers are friendly so I wouldn't be uncomfortable asking them any questions. This is the first place I have worked so I cannot compare it to anything else and I did not know what to expect, however I like working at Cummins.

My apprenticeship was based in only one department so I have a permanent manager and team leader that organize my program. All my training is taught by the other technicians on my shift. Cummins are usually organized when it comes to training an support. My college isn't as structured however.

I receive a good amount of support from my employers. I know if I ever had an issue with something at work, that I would be able to tell someone about it. They also give me day release to go to college to do my work and HR are always in contact with the college to monitor our progress.

Personally I have never had any major issues with my training provider, apart from tutors leaving mid-way through courses. This is stressful at the time but everything is always sorted eventually. I am currently doing distanced learning due to the virus but I am still in contact with my tutors through e-mail.

My course definitely helps me perform better in my role. This year my subjects are robotics, hydraulics and pneumatics, and applied mathematics. Within my role I maintain robot and pneumatic machinery so its given me a better understanding of them. my subjects are well suited to what I do on a daily basis.

Cummins have a monthly apprentice meeting where every apprentice on site is invited to organize charity events and team building exercises. We do a yearly project called EEEC where we do some form of charity work for a day. The last one I attended we went to Daisy Chain which is a place where disabled children can go to play and interact with each other. We helped build their new play area.

Yes

I have always enjoyed working at Cummins and I think they really care about their employees. They are known to be one of the highest paid apprenticeships with very good quality training and equipment. I enjoy my day to day activities and hopefully I will be able to continue working here for many more years.

The interview process is difficult but for good reason as there are hundreds of applicants every year. It is important to look interested, and you should show enthusiasm when explaining why you want to join the program. There are multiple apprenticeships that we offer so it is important to read into what it is about as they are very different.