Civil Aerospace Operations Review

The apprenticeship is split into 3 parts. Part 1 is basic machining skills to achieve a level 2 qualification in Aerospace Engineering. Part 2 is made up of various 6 month placements around the business working in various different functions, this makes up the remaining 3 years, this achieves a level 4 qualification. Alongside all 4 years is studying at University of Derby for a BEng in Mechanical Engineering with Aerospace. The placements are conducted based on exit roles, current headcount and somewhat on your preference.

Yes. I learnt basic machining skills during my first year, this was something I had not done before and hence learnt a lot. During my placements so far I have been able to learn a great deal about both Rolls-Royce and also the wider market. The vast majority of learning comes from working with colleagues, not from completing the qualification. Working in a large corporate also allows a deep understanding of importance of financials, ethics, values and developed interpersonal skills greatly.

The worst thing about the apprenticeship is that you are treated like you are still in school. As someone who wanted to learn on the job, work on exciting and important projects and ultimately add value it is a massive shame we are not trusted, not allowed to take responsibility or take control of my own development. In the first year you attend the ‘training school’ and are not trusted to do anything. The worst thing is that for any high performers, you spend all of the first year sat ideal not engaged, not stretched and not challenged. This leads to a stereotype around apprentices in the business for being lazy, unmotivated and lacking engagement.

The structure is good, almost too structured (more on that below). The path is very clear and you have a view to where you will be for over 18 months in the future. It is organised, the training provider lacks this but the employer is good at chasing and demanding structure form them. For individuals it is very difficult to change the programme based on your interests. During the interviews we were sorted into two groups, not taking into account our preferences or even engaging with us, these groups then inform our exit roles for 4 years time and cannot be changed. This was a very disappointing aspect.

The employer will support you on whatever you need if you are struggling. If it is university, they try to identify individuals either in your cohort or in the cohort above you that could work with you to help. As employees you also have full access to the employer assistance programme which can support with counselling with stress, mental health wellbeing or funicular difficulties. For those that want to develop beyond the scheme this can be difficult with cost being the largest factor, this is disappointing if you have other interests outside your scheme as well.

The training provided - the University of Derby - treat you like normal university students. Should you fail a coursework or exam you will be able to re-sit. In my cohort some people struggled with a module, the university offered extra tutorials, however these were on days that we were not at university during work hours so we weren’t able to attend! The lectures are somewhat open to questions and you talking with them, but this is very individual and based on their personal approach to teaching more then an institutional approach.

For me the degree is merely a tick box. Very little I have learnt from the university have I been able to apply in my work. For me the overwhelming benefit of the apprenticeship is the time spent in placements working on real project and working with experienced engineers. The qualification itself is important because it if incredibly difficult to get an engineering job without a degree. The university attempt to integrate work with that that we have done at Rolls-Royce, this is very often out of date, or unrelated to our role.

Yes there is an Apprentice and Graduate Association which can join. They run social activities throughout the year and also serve as a voice for early careers. In terms of precessional networking the company has a number of employee resource groups that serve to represent different groups, these are open to all go join and have there own social events and professional events for networking. There are on top of that a number for sports teams that are across the site.

Yes

Overall the programme is an excellent springboard for anyone looking for roles in aerospace engineering. The scheme does however lack in being agile, flexible or adaptable. You must also be prepared for the treatment of apprentices like you are still in school, especially in the first year of the apprenticeship. The experience is the biggest factor, and having 4 years of high quality experience in a global engineering firm is an exceptional thing and allows you To develop a lot.

The best advice I can give is to be prepared, understand the business and what it is about. Then try to understand why you want to join the company and what specifically about Rolls-Royce excites you. Then really try to demonstrate your passion and what it is about. Then also about yourself, what are your skills and what is your plan? Let your ambition come across and how you what to develop personally over the course of the apprenticeship.