Non-destructive Testing Degree Apprentice. Review

My role consist of working with engineers, learning skills and gaining hours in NDT techniques. It also includes taking responsibility for projects and on my currently placement, looking after external suppliers and looking after quality issues. I now also look after the new intake of apprentices and showing them the basics of NDT and allowing them to ask questions about the role. Every 6 months we move round the business and experience NDT from a different aspect in order to get as much exposure as possible.

Yes, I've developed many technical skills as well as many soft skills. My use of excel is much better as well as time management, skills involved in working with foreign suppliers including learning some Italian words. In terms of the academic side, university has taught me skills which help me in my role too such as research and alike. External training has taught me plenty of things such as external factors which affect performance.

I very much enjoy working as part of a team as well as working with other apprentices. Going away to university means the experience is similar to a normal university one. Rolls Royce has a very good culture of wanting to help the apprentices as people understand the importance of succession planning. It meets all expectations and some. The team is very supportive but also understand when a challenge needs to be given to an apprentice.

The program is well structured, we went on an outward bound course in the first couple of weeks of joining the company, this was great for bonding with others on the course and also helped us learn the rolls royce core values and behaviors. We have reviews with the apprentice team every 8 weeks which helps us stay on track and achieving the max potential. I also believe our end roll alignment is already arranged towards the end of our apprenticeship so we can gain experience in that area before getting a fulltime job.

the support received is great, having an apprentice development leader to ensure we are achieving as much as possible ensures we have access to support at all times. The HR team are also contactable through easy to use channels. Everyone is always happy to help and for myself with additional leaner support i feel the help i have received has allowed me to keep up with university study. Us apprentices also offer each other support.

The support offered from the university is also good, they hold regular workshops with us on soft skills and also explain the process if we need any additional support with any specific subject areas. We have our own personal academic tutor assigned to us and he is helpful should we have any queries at all regarding the whole university experience. I do enjoy attending university and one of the things i was worried about when selecting an apprenticeship over conventional university is about the experience but i feel we don't miss out on this when we attend despite the long days

Very well, the degree was made by someone in the industry and therefore is essentially tailored to the end role of the apprenticeship. some of the theory of things taught at university have been implemented in my work. I 100% agree that the qualification has made me know more about my job role and am grateful for rolls Royce allowing me to complete it. people are also willing to help us with university study if we are struggling eg industry experts

Currently no due to covid however there are sports teams to join and plenty of networking events throughout the year where we can meet other like minded people and other industry professionals. There is also a local school community project which runs every year unfortunately cancelled this year due to covid. there is a social club which host a boat party ect every year and this is something i would like to do but didnt.

Yes

The company are brilliant in every aspect. Apprentices are really valued and they are a massive boost to the local economy and whole of Derby. Their pay is good and also develop their people. People tend to work for rolls royce for large percentages of their career and this shows that they are a good employer. It is also something to be very proud of when explaining to others who you work for and what they stand for.

Make sure you practice the Maths and English questions prior to doing the actual assessments. Also ensure you do things outside of your academic achievements to make yourself stand out from other applicants. on interview day, bring in examples of work as they love this. Make sure you know a lot about the company and anything they've been in the news about recently. Don't turn up thinking Rolls royce still make cars!