Practical Electrical/Electronic engineer Review

Due to the fact I am an apprentice I am learning various skills in the business to set me up for my future career in that job role. At the moment I am learning how to test units that control plane engines! I have been on a unit where I have fully learned the process of coating and curing cards to ensure they can withstand any elements that are thrown their way while in the sky.

Yes, I am always developing new skills because I have never done some of the things that I have to do before! For example I learned how to fully coat a card in Humiseal (a protective layer). The main place that I learned skills was my college! I had done some of the units before, but the tutors still helped me with my technique. But yes the college has taught me many different new skills too!

I am really enjoying my program, however I have just completed my b-tec level 3 and I’m not being supported to progress to my HNC which makes it extremely hard for me to find the time to do it! Other than this, I love the business I work for and I’m so grateful to have got into Rolls-Royce. I loved the btec course and the core units of manufacturing techniques, it was all very enjoyable just a shame about the support.

I have been disappointed with the structure, especially with the college! There has been several occasions where I have been put on the wrong unit then had to join another unit half way through and still be expected to complete the assignments! In one instance I was even put on the wrong gateway for a unit I have never done before which I explained but I was still asked to complete it. Then later on I had to retake the gateway.

I receive a fair amount of support from my employer. I say this because they have fully supported through anything up until now that I am trying to get onto a HNC course! It’s difficult because I work shifts and night college isn’t a thing anymore so I have to risk paying a fair amount of money for an online course that could potentially be a scam and as many of you that go on to HNC will find out, if you are going to self fund it, it’s not cheap!

We receive a lot of support from our training providers, they know exactly what they’re doing and are very organised! They helped us with all of our units for the most part however I was a little disappointed that a few of the tutors that have actually left now would teach us the PASS criteria only then take over 3 months to mark it. This was very disappointing because by the time they marked it, if there was any amendments that needed doing then we would not remember all of the content. It also wasn’t a fair reflection on our ability because they wouldn’t teach us the merit or distinction!

My qualifications will help me with my job role because they enhance the skills I already had to an even higher level! For example I had done electrical systems before but this took it to a whole new level teaching me about how it will be in the work place and then making sure I understand it through the knowledge based questions. The knowledge questions are important to show the tutor that you understand everything you have been taught because if you don’t then they will go over it with you.

There are some extra-curricula activities available, however they don’t seem aimed at apprentices and quite often they don’t aid your ability. The main one that became available specially for me was becoming a STEM ambassador. As soon as I saw this opportunity I had to do it! It allows me to interstate with other apprentices across the country and go to special STEM events! I wish there was more sporting extra curricular as I do love sports!

Yes

For this question I would go yes and no, this is because it’s a great apprenticeship where you will meet other very intelligent people and will open lots if opportunities for yourself however I’d say no because I want to progress with my qualifications and the business is not allowing me and supporting me to do so! It took me by surprise because my girlfriend who works for a very small company of about 20 people and they are supporting her to go on to do her masters but a company as big as mine won’t even support to go onto a HNC

Work hard and stay motivated, Rolls-Royce is the best of the best and they will not hesitate to lose you if you are not trying your best! I always try my best no matter if I’m good or bad at something! Another point is that if you do not get into Rolls-Royce then don’t knock yourself down, 15,000 applied for the apprenticeship Intake I applied for and only 16 of us got it. So don’t be dispondant!