Engineering Degree Apprentice Review

I'm a 3rd year engineering degree apprentice, day to day I fill an engineering role where my responsibilities vary between design, manufacturing and analytics. I am given tasks which involve me working both independently (while seeking advice from colleagues) and working within a team where I'm often networking with other team members in order to deliver the given project. The roles I undertake work both on designing the engines themselves as well as designing processes and techniques which are used in evaluating components of the engine. I have also undertaken research studies to improve the product we make

Technical - I've significantly increased my general knowledge of civil large engines on both a subsystem and a whole engine level. This is gained through placements where the focus shifts between single component design to larger systems which are intertwined throughout the engine. Interpersonal - The focus on team-work has lead to me improving my ability to communicate ideas with others effectively as well as to take in information that colleagues provide when working on tasks with them. The work completed as a result of my degree has also developed my analytical skills along with report writing which takes a key role in communicating information in a clear and concise manner between teams & organisations

The work completed can be very engaging - especially the work which looks forward to what's next within engineering. The teams we work with are always willing to help you develop and are very knowledgeable people which gives you the chance to pick-up a lot off them. The company has a long history with apprentices which leads to an environment where apprentices are fully integrated. You never feel on the fringes of a team your working with, they include you fully. It exceeded the expectations I had before coming on scheme. The programme make you feel that by the end you will be ready to take on a full-time engineering role, this isn't the vibe that I get from university.

1st Year - This is a very structured year where your completing workshop sections on milling, turning, welding, electronics etc. The instructors are always helpful and accepting that sometimes it can take a while to pick up a new skill set. Their always there to encourage you. 2-4th Year - The structure isn't as rigid but this doesn't come as a detriment. Placements are organised in order to expand your skill set and give you a taste of what a final role could be. Once an area is ascertained the flexibility allows you to hone your skills in a specific area before exiting the programme.

Managers are a great resource who help you guide your career towards an area you find most interesting. In the case of issues they are always open to discussions in order to find constructive solution. When problems arise such as difficulty with academic qualifications they are supportive in helping to find a supportive solutions such as organising an academic mentor to help fill in the gaps. Generally the company is very open towards supporting you, it just import to ask for help when needed

This varies between modules completed at university due to having different tutors. Some tutors are great at responding and providing detailed answers to queries while some can be vague and difficult to reach. For the most part Rolls-Royce are the primary provider of advice and guidance, the training provider is primarily there to provide the content of our academic qualifications. There are parts of the degree that are very enjoyable and others that are not so - on the whole the work completed at Rolls-Royce is more engaging than the degree.

The application of content can be mixed, often you find the equation based mathematics aren't that relevant because we use analytical tools to solve a lot of the issues we face, often those issues are either to complex or two wide-spread to solve by hand as taught. On the other hand principles can be applied within the designing of components such as having an advanced understanding of how fluids work how hoe components are likely to fail

Attached to Rolls-Royce is the Rolls-Royce leisure centre which provides a variety of teams such as the football & rugby teams. There is also a gym on site which you can join, this is convenient to access straight after work. There is the Apprentice & Graduates association which provides networking events to get to know other members of the organisation. There are talk which you can get involved in where senior members of the company will talk about a given topic they have been involved in which expands your engineering knowledge.

Yes

I think it's a brilliant company to start off your career at, I believe that had I gone down the straight degree route I would not be anywhere near as developed as I am now. Going forward I feel a lot more confident about my career as a result of my apprenticeship. RR has a history of developing great apprentices who then advance through the company to take important roles showing how important apprentices are to this company

Make sure you do a lot of background research on the industry - it's important that you understand what we do as a company and in turn be interested in the subject matter. When in interviews be open and honest with your interviewer, if you don't know the answer to a question its better to be honest about it than rambling on about an incorrect answer. Your not meant to know everything as your coming onto the scheme to learn. They want to see that you have the passion to learn.