Engineering Degree Apprentice Review

Checking into calls with managers and team members, carrying out simulations with software and completing edits to the documentation pages as requested by managers.

Better timekeeping skills and better organisational skills. I have also made myself a more efficient worker by prioritising what needs doing first and what will take me more time. I have also developed better interpersonal skills in my role.

I enjoy it hugely because of the very wide range of tasks I can complete and the skills I can develop. I can also develop skills with a wide range of software that may be useful later in my professional life. Above all my apprenticeship allows me to gain experience in a professional engineering environment.

It is very well structured because we take courses in the first year to make sure we understand the mechanical and physical capabilities and limitations of any machinery or processes. This is done before sending us out into the business on placement to make sure we are prepared.

We receive a lot of support, consisting of bimonthly reviews with our manager and weekly "flight deck" meetings with our colleagues to check in and make sure we are doing our best.

I receive support toward my qualifications in the form of meetings with my NVQ assessor to track progress with evidence. These are always constructive meetings and they are extremely useful with staying on track.

My qualification encourages me to implement the things I have learned in the workplace. This helps me work efficiently and professionally and at my best. Knowledge question sheets provide the biggest boost toward this.

There are plenty of such activities to enjoy, such as regular baking competitions, pub quizzes, and "coffee hours". Admittedly these have decreased in frequency since the first coronavirus lockdown but a number of activities are still being done remotely.

Yes

The apprenticeship scheme offers professional experience that is unavailable of a similar strength and diversity anywhere else in the country. The support offered, both with university and placements, is very good.

Keep yourself mechanically minded and with a strong work ethic. It is worth it in every sense of the word and can give you very valuable experience.