machinist Review

at the moment we are on a design and make project. each group is given different projects and has to design and make something that fits the customers needs and works to a high standard. however we are normally in a factory learning how to run machines. we spend 6 months or more on each machine doing the same task. when we are not doing this we are on day release at college studying maths, materials and physics.

yes, we have learnt how to run multiple CNC machines and different manual machines such as a milling machine, lathe, makino grind machine and cnc lathes. we learn a lot within these topics such as tool changes, cmm measuring, how to read engineering drawings and how to make parts to a small tolerance. we also develop new and useful skills in our college lessons which are online at the moment. as they teach us some stuff we miss out with our practical work

the programme is enjoyable most of the time. the work we are given is often engaging and interesting however we are put on the same machines in the second and third year for a long time and it does begin to get repetitive. the people are very nice to work with, both the other apprentices and the trainers and they make the experience very enjoyable. although sometimes things aren't always organised to the best extent and things can take a while to happen

the first year of our program is very well structured as it takes place in the learning development centre where we learn the basic skills such as milling, turning, fitting and CNC along with college. we do assessed tasks to build up evidence for our NVQ. in the second and third years it is a lot less organised and structured as we have to go on the machines assigned to us and find evidence for our NVQ on our own

we receive enough support from our employer. for example we have monthly meetings with our apprentice development leader and our nvq assessor in which we discuss our progress and anything we want to bring up to and raise to the attention of anyone higher up. we are also asked questions on ethics and safeguarding and prevent. if we don't know these questions then we are provided with relevant knowledge and information to help us.

we receive enough support when working towards our qualifications as we have the monthly meeting with our nvq assessor and we discuss what work we have completed and if we have completed enough of it for example, knowledge questions and other evidence. we then talk about target dates for getting more work done and how we will complete it so that we can finish the apprenticeship on time. we also receive support from college especially if we don't pass an exam.

I feel as though the training we get does directly benefit our role in the workplace as everything we learn in college can mostly be directly applied to our work as everything is related. I also feel like it helps me to understand more about the business and the factory in general and how it runs as I have a greater understanding on what peoples jobs are and how they do it. although there are some things from college that I am yet to apply.

given the current circumstances there aren't many extra curricular activities to take part in as everything is closed due to lockdown. however prior to this happening quite lot went on. Rolls Royce has a leisure centre and this has a gym, basketball courts, squash courts and more. there is also a bar and dining area at the leisure centre where social and community events can take place and there is also a heritage centre.

Yes

I feel as though it is a good apprenticeship all in all although I was slightly misled about the qualifications as I thought these would be enough to get straight into university afterwards but they don't get you enough UCAS points. aside from that it is a well recognised qualification and is widely recognised as a good company. the people are also a great benefit of this company as I have only met one or two people who I wouldn't consider nice in the whole of the apprenticeship so far.

don't go easy on the application, and don't sell yourself short, make sure to be yourself at the interviews and be prepared to answer any questions regarding the information you have been given. you must consider what you want to do in the future as this qualification does not give you enough ucas points to progress straight onto uni, you would need to do a foundation course or a higher national diploma and then uni.