Engineering Higher Apprentice Review

As an engineering higher apprentice, my role has involved completing workshop skills for engineering appreciation during my first 9 months of training. This included things like welding, CAD and mechanical assembly. Following this, I have been rotate into Various 3 month placements, each with different tasks and projects to complete. Some skills are transferrable, such as using Excel, VBA coding, Teamcenter and NX. However, some placements require completely different skillsets and I have had the opportunity to learn these and shadow experienced team members.

Many new interpersonal and business skills from training provided. I have also developed practical skills during my first 9 months of workshop training. In addition to this, having been sponsored to complete a foundation degree in mechanical and manufacturing engineering, I have been able to improve my technical skills such as CAD, CFD and quality engineering understanding. In addition, I have been able to develop further core competencies, such as using Excel functions and powerpoint.

Overall this was a very enjoyable programme. However due to the impact of coronavirus in recent times, there is unlikely to be many (if any) roles available at the end of the apprenticeship due the large reductions in employees in the civil aerospace sector. Whilst on the apprenticeship, Rolls-Royce have provided great opportunities both within the company but also in terms of external personal development experiences. However, apprentices have been treated rather poorly in terms of being offered positions at the end of the programme.

The programme is well structured in terms of the first 9 months of appreciation skills for NVQ level 2. However, once out in the business, this is much less structured and more down to individual apprentices to find their own placements. However, this is in my opinion a good thing as it allows us to build confidence in arranging our own meetings which is a character building plus. However, there have been no commitments to take any apprentices on at the end of the programme.

We receive support from our apprentice development leaders (ADL’s) who we can contact if we have any work related and/or personal issues. In terms of larger support packages from Rolls-Royce, we receive financial support such as fuel payments for travelling when taking part in personal development or extra curricular activities such as STEM and also financial support through schemes such as Sharesave which helps with financially planning for the future. Also, an attractive pension plan.

This support has been very good throughout the programme. In particular, our NVQ assessors are assigned to us early on in our NVQ level 4 to allow us to build up a strong working relationship so that we can discuss any issues and also ask for additional support if this is required. Apprentice development leaders (ADL’s) can also support with this if asked. Moreover, the university of Derby is very supportive with academic studies.

I am not convinced that the qualification itself (NVQ level 4) is directly applicable to the work I have been part of at Rolls-Royce. This isn’t to say that this qualification will not be applicable to other businesses and engineering roles. For example, my roles at the company have been office based such as using CAD, Excel and Powerpoint however the NVQ is more focused on practical elements of engineering so collecting evidence has been more challenging.

The apprentice and graduate association (AGA) at Rolls-Royce sets up various extra-curricular activities on a weekly basis. This includes things like football 5 a side, badminton and other sports. In addition, the AGA arrange nights out with discounts for members of the AGA. Rolls-Royce also host many networking and professional development events in the offices which is free for any Rolls-Royce employee to take part in. This enables apprentices to communicate with peers and is a great opportunity.

Yes

Rolls-Royce is a fantastic company to work for in terms of the way employees and apprentices are treated and the financial rewards that come with them. The company provides numerous opportunities that enable apprentices to improve their skills and develop their professional network in a way that is unparalleled by other engineering companies in the uk. Whilst the starting salary is similar to other engineering apprenticeships, the final salary in completion is often much higher.

I would advice that if you are considering applying to Rolls-Royce, you should make sure you put ample preparation into the application process. For the apprenticeship scheme, the apprenticeship application process is very challenging and highly competitive, with various online stages and an assessment day in person at the learning and development centre (Derby). However, if you succeed, the reward is certainly worth the effort you put in and more and the experience you will gain is unparalleled.