Advanced Machinist apprentice Review

As an advanced machining apprentice we spend the first year in an on site workshop, being trained to use Milling machines, lathes, CNC mill/lathe and CNC programming in 6 week blocks. We attend college on either day release or block release which again is on site in their apprentice academy, as we work towards our level 2. Then after the first year you begin your level 3 qualifications and start placements out in the business. this is where you shadow an operator as they train you in their day to day job and make you competent in those jobs.

I came to Rolls-Royce after completing a level 2 engineering apprenticeship at caterpillar inn Desford. They gave me an insight into H&S, working with hand tools, assembly, continuous improvement techniques and a good understanding of how a large company operates. I used these skills In my apprenticeship at RR and developed them further as I progressed. I had never used a CNC machine, CNC programming, lathe or milling machine prior to RR so these were all new skills and was very interesting to learn these skills.

Overall I have really enjoyed my apprenticeship so far, and look forward to completing my programme in the future. I feel the skills, training and support we received from tutors and instructors has been fantastic as well as the people I have worked with in the business. Being given responsibility to set up machines and produce work in the business was a great experience and something I want to continue to develop.

I think generally the organisation is good although communication between certain areas and apprentices can be a little clouded at times, but always gets resolved. The structure of the apprenticeship is great and we receive a structured plan when we first start, for what we'll be doing and when in the workshop and for placements in the business. RR also organised 2 outward bound trips, one to Wales and one to Eskdale, for team building and problem solving/organisational skills, as well as activities such as mountain walking, kayaking, rock climbing, raft building as more.

As a company I fell RR has always provided exceptional support from our tutors in college, helping us with our qualifications and delivering lessons even while distancing. The instructors in the apprenticeship academy are incredibly knowledgeable and were always happy to help and ensured that every student was progressing and developing new skills and nobody was left struggling. And for support in the business I felt the project leaders were approachable and the operators I worked with were keen and passionate about what they do and were happy to pass these skills on.

Our training provider has always provided adequate support to help us towards our qualifications. This has been from the lessons they deliver, the support material they provide for revision, and extra sessions they have put on to help support people before tests. Whenever we have had any questions we can contact tutors or the college on Microsoft teams, email or by going to see the onsite college rep and always received a response in a timely manner.

I feel the material we cover for our qualifications nicely reflect the jobs and roles we hope to obtain, as lessons are usually tailored around something relevant to our jobs and things we can relate to. Gaining the knowledge for our qualification also helps us to better understand what things are and how they work once we're out in the business too, and makes learning new jobs and adapting to new environments much easier.

As RR is such a large company there is always activities or events that we can get involved in, including charity events and fund raisers. They have their own sports teams and have groups for runners, gym goers, cyclists and hobbies shared by many employees. As part of the apprenticeship we are enrolled as a stem ambassador where we aim to support and provide fun activities for local schools and businesses, such as fun educational days at local schools, or providing Q&A sessions for new starters or people interested in engineering and RR.

Yes

Overall I feel the apprenticeship is very well structured, the training we are provided and the skills we learn during our time as an apprentice are all very valuable in progressing our careers. The qualifications we gain are valuable assets to our future in engineering and reflects the depth of the skills and training we have received on our apprenticeship. I feel the money is well above average for apprentices in the UK, and the opportunities that this apprenticeship can lead to are quite exciting.

Id say go for it! I wish I had years ago. RR might seem scary as it is such a big company but there is nothing to worry about if engineering is something you are interested in. If you don't get in the first time keep trying, its definitely worth it. Don't worry if you feel like you aren't good enough, if you are keen and hard working they will provide you with everything you need to go far. Usually if you get through to interviews they will give you a training pack, REVISE THIS! You will not blag your way through these interviews.