Fitter Review

I am training to become an aerospace mechanical fitter. I currently do both NVQ and college work. When I’m doing my NVQ I am Temporarily assigned to a certain role in the company, I will then shadow and learn new skills depending on the role. I will rotate roles every so often. These roles have specific skills I need to learn to ensure I have learnt them I will either have to do a write up or show some sort of evidence.

I have learnt many new skills and developed existing skills. I know the inner workings of how an aircraft works and functions and how all their components operate to ensure safe and efficient power plant operation. I know how extract and change helicoils. How to wire lock. How to assemble and dissemble planetary gear boxes. When doing these I have to work to their set standards and regulations due to this I know how to read and find information in these regulations.

I really enjoy my apprenticeship. I get paid to learn and this role gives me experience alongside the education. This puts me ahead of a lot students my age. I am also now accustomed to the workplace environment so I know how to act accordingly. This role is also quite fun as I’ve always had a fascination for aircrafts. I love being hands on this helps me learn more efficiently as I’m actually doing the tasks I’m learning about.

My organisation can be more structured as it may take a while for new things to be implemented, however this is to be expected in a big organisation. I have seen an improvement since I’ve started as new processes and procedures are becoming more fluid then before. We have regular reviews and feedback sessions so my managers know how I’m progressing. If I ever do need extra help i know I will be able to receive this.

We have reviews every 6 weeks with my manager this is to monitor my progress, if I ever need help I can go to my manager and other peers to attain this. In these reviews I am giving smart targets to ensure I am working at a high standard. If I’m ever falling behind I know my manager will be able to put steps in to place to get me back to the stage I need to be at.

I am giving smart targets to ensure I am working at a high standard. If I’m ever falling behind I know my manager will be able to put steps in to place to get me back to the stage I need to be at. If I do need extra help I will be able to ask for it. I can go to multiple members of the company to receive them a help. I can go to my mangers in the work place or the manger of my apprenticeship.

I am more of hands on person, so actually being able to work on and do the processes I’m learning helps massively. It helps solidify the learning and ensure. The qualification also allows me to understand what I’m actually working on at deeper level, I will be able to understand the significance of each part and component I’m fitting. The qualification also give me a nice break from the work environment so I can appreciate the work environment more.

There are many extra curricular activities to into at my place of work and we are encouraged to join these and take part. My workplace believes in staying active so we have many sports facilities and teams to take part in. We have also many STEM events going on which is mandatory to take place in. This is a great experience as it allows us to give back to the community. I was also apart of the RAES young lecturers competition this was a great networking event for me and I was able to learn lots from these experiences.

Yes

The fact you get paid to learn and your are given the experience alongside this is amazing. It puts us ahead of a lot of students, and gives us and insight of what a workplace environment is like. As I have come straight from school to this apprenticeship I am given a nice transition into a workplace environment. We are given lots help and we will receive world renounced skills and training to take away with us at the end of the apprenticeship.

I would advise to take part in many extra curricular schemes as this builds your CV. Work hard in school and education and ensure you give you all at everything you try at. Employers like Rolls Royce love to see hard working individuals as we will be the next generation of engineers to pioneer the power that matters. Socialising and networking is also key, as we usually work in teams, so build your socialising skills and networking Is key.