Degree Apprentice Aerospace Engineering Civil Operations Review

A typical day for me is spend working in my design placement remotely and assisting the design team within the "cold-end" of the aero-engine. I am currently working as part of a team on DFMEA (Design Failure Modes and Effects Analysis) which involves assessing the ways in which components can fail and ways we can mitigate this. I use various softwares including Siemens NX, TeamCentre, Reliasoft XFMEA, DRed and more. What I do depends on the placement I'm in, my previous placement in Stress was very analytical which involved using Excel spreadsheets and comparing data as well as carrying out FEA (Finite Element Analysis) in specialist software to assess the capability of engine components. The normal day is often broken up with meetings and I've had the opportunity to sit in on some meetings with external suppliers and clients such as Quest and Airbus. Once a week I attend University which breaks up the week. Everyone within Rolls-Royce is friendly and eager to help you're development which makes each day more enjoyable.

As part of my Level 2 NVQ I learnt a number of skills including: Welding, Milling, Turning, Electrical & Electronics, CNC Programming, AutoCAD, Business Improvement Techniques and Health and Safety. Additionally I completed a 6 month PLM course which including Modelling, Drawing and Assemblies in Siemens NX, how to use TeamCentre and Manual Drafting. As part of my level 4 NVQ I am learning skills within from the business in a number of engineering skills such as Creating & Evaluating Engineering Drawings in Siemens NX, Producing Engineering Specifications, Improving the Quality of Engineering Products or Processes and Solving engineering or manufacturing problems. I have also learned skills from training and other areas including presentation skills, health and safety, safe driving (to and from work), technical report writing, and more.

Apprenticeships especially Degree Apprenticeships are very tough, with working full time and then University and NVQs but I have greatly enjoyed the challenge and the new skills I've learnt. I have made a number of new friends from my Flightdeck (which is a group of apprentices). I have also enjoyed working with other Flightdecks and apprentices from other years as well as the engineers I've had the pleasure of working with. I'm really enjoying my placements within the business and tackling real engineering problems which helps provide a sense of achievement. I enjoy my educational challenges I'm hoping to complete with a 1st in my Degree.

My programme has a good structure and is well organised, we use Excel to track our level 2 NVQs and mandatory training in the first year. With the full year being planned out so you know what unit you are working on next. An online training portal makes locating and completing online training easy as well as booking face to face training sessions on a date that suits you and fits in with other training. Our level 4 NVQ is tracked via Excel which allows you to manually mark off what work you've completed and provides information on how much work is left to do with the remaining work days left. IE: complete X amount of knowledge questions per day. This should take approximately X amount of minutes. We also have access to an online portal for saving our evidence for our Level 2 and 4 NVQs which provides a percentage progress information as well as a place to store documents (back-up) and allows for your NVQ assessor to leave development plans so you can refer back to it during the training. The University days are planned out well and fit in with the working arrangements with Rolls-Royce and the University working together to solve any issues or challenges such as remote learning during the pandemic. Additionally placements are planned out well and we are given the opportunity to manage our own placements by arranging meetings with line mangers and discussing what evidence we wish to obtain from the placement for our NVQ level 4.

As a dyslexic I have received fantastic support, before I even started my apprenticeship I was booked in for a dyslexia assessment without having any prior assessments. The assessment was very thorough and highlighted my learning challenges as well as providing suggestions for support. Rolls-Royce then had some 1 to 1 meetings to discuss my learning support which involved informing the University and providing me with specialist equipment. I am also able to contact the Rolls-Royce support team for additional support. The University in collaboration with Rolls-Royce provides me with additional time in exams and for assessments. Additionally I am short sighted and Rolls-Royce sent me for an eye test and then had special safety glasses made so I did not need to wear my glasses under safety glasses making my workshop experience more enjoyable. As a DSE (display screen equipment) user I can request free eye testing through my employer.

As mentioned previously I am given additional time in exams and assessments. Like my employer my training provider has a specialist team who deal with additional support. If I have an issue I feel they can help with I can contact them in order to request additional support. Additionally I am contacted by them periodically to see if there is anything they can do to assist me and how I am currently coping with my qualifications. Additionally there are regular meetings in which it is possible for me to being up any issues such as periodic progress reviews, monthly NVQ assessor meetings, PAT (Personally Academic Tutor) meetings and more. There are also a whole host of people I can contact directly for support for Business related training, NVQ qualification issues and issues with my Degree.

My level 2 NVQ that I completed prior to entry into the business was extremely helpful as it gives a basic foundation of multiple areas that can be related to the job. The level 4 NVQ that is completed by undertaking tasks in my placements means that I ensure I take in the skills I learn in my role which helps reinforce that learning. My degree provides much needed knowledge in mutliple areas such as design and modelling, materials, thermofluids, analytical methods, CAD skills, and structural knowledge. These three qualifications in addition to other training all helps prepare me for my role in the business and I have noticed that certain tasks within my role relate back to my qualifications in that I often think "Oh yes this is similar to that module I did last year."

I couldn't possibly hope to list all the extra-curricular activities I can get involved with as there are just so many. However I will name a few. I was trained as a STEM ambassador which allows me to interact with parents, schools and students to encourage them to become involved with STEM subjects which is very rewarding. Rolls-Royce allows us to use their leisure facilities and tour the Heritage site. We can play football, squash, tennis and a number of other sporting activities. Then there is the Apprentice Council and AGA (Apprentice and Graduate Association) which host social events and networking events such as talks with IMechE, RAS (Royal Aeronautical Association) and others. Also the university offers a number of extra--curricular activities such as clubs and events hosted by the Students Union. Finally as part of my Flight Deck we often organise our own events using facilities from Rolls-Royce or the University. We normally have a Christmas meal as a group each year.

Yes

Rolls-Royce offers a fantastic opportunity to obtain world class training. As part of my apprenticeship I will obtain a level 2 NVQ in Aerospace Engineering, Level 4 in Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, Level 6 BEng (Hons) degree in Mechanical (Aerospace) Engineering. Additionally I have to opportunity to learn new skills as part of my mandatory training and non-mandatory training and as a member of Unite Union I am offered additional level 2 courses free-of charge. My pay increases at each stage. I started on approximately £12,500 and my final year will be around £22,000. There is also a yearly bonus depending on business performance. We also get 25 days holiday, plus 8 bank holidays and 6 leisure days for a total of 39 days off throughout the year. Normally we shut down for two weeks a Christmas providing a nice time off to spend with family. I have learnt so much already and I get great support from the business, university, my flightdeck and colleagues within the business. In short Rolls-Royce really does offer me every opportunity to be the best I can be.

When applying for Rolls-Royce you need to make sure you've got good grades, this can either be an Extended Level 3 BTEC or 3 A-Levels. I would personally advise that if you do the BTEC route an A-level in maths would be advantageous but isn't a necessity. Recruitment is multi-stages including submitting your CV, online assessments and then a six hour interview process. What they are looking for is your drive to succeed, your communication and interpersonal skills, team working skills, problem solving and engineering knowledge. They do give you some information to help but preparing prior to the interview is a must. Lastly if you don't get in, make sure you ask for feedback and how you can improve then focus on that for the next year and re-apply. I know people who didn't get in first time but did on their second attempt.