Year 3 Craft Transmissions Apprentice - Machinist Review

My role currently involves working 4 days a week and attending college on day release to complete my studies. As a machinist, I will spend 2 years moving area each 6 to 8 weeks, and then spend my final year of the apprenticeship learning next to a skilled man in my ‘final placement’ which is an area I will be expected to be fully trained in, come the end of that year.

I had a basic understanding of machines before I stared, and had done some lathe turning before but nothing to this level. The tolerances and equipment is world leading and so my skills need to be too. I’ve developed so much in my time and have learned so much. I can’t wait to complete my apprenticeship and be a skilled man myself, in an area that I love

I love the programme. It’s something I have a big interest in and I love doing it as a career. I love progressing in myself while producing products with the tightest of tolerances. It’s a very rewarding job.

My programme is structured well. Right from the start I understood how my 4 years would pan out and what would be expected of me in order to meet my criteria.

I receive a lot of support from work. The supervisors and managers are always there and happy to help if I need help. And the skilled men and work are very knowledgeable and there’s little that baffles them.

College is the only downfall to the programme. Yeovil college is a little unorganised and doesn’t communicate very well with learners. There is a constant lack of lecturers and a very high turn over of temporary staff. This has been progressively getting worse over my 3 years I’ve been attending college

I feel my understanding is greatly improved by the hands on and theory aspects that I’ve learned at college. It’s given me the basic knowledge needed l, that is then superseded at work.

There is AWAWA which is essentially a social club for apprentices and graduates. They put on social events such as managers vs apprentices sports matches, go karting, beer and cider festivals and baking competitions. As well as this I’ve been involved with lots of careers fairs representing the company and I love it

Yes

It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I love every minute of it

Just do it. Try and get in contact with someone doing an apprenticeship if your unsure. There’s nothing to lose