Aeronautical Engineer Apprentice Review

My role as an Aeronautical Engineer Apprentice for Babcock at RAF Valley, Anglesey is to help maintain the Hawk T2 military training jets on-site. This includes learning about maintenance procedures that are carried out day by day in the Hangar and also on the Flight Line. I am specifically work within electrical/avionics.

I have learnt many new skills since I begun my apprenticeship back in 2019. The main skills I have developed include hands on skills such as using tools, but I have also learnt the importance of Health and safety as well as how to use relevant documents to complete tasks safely to a high standard.

I very much enjoy the programme. Every day I am taking part in a new task or at the very least learning something new. All of the staff within Babcock are very enthusiastic about the apprenticeship programme and will always help out in any way they can. I enjoy the practical work and doing something new everyday.

I think the programme is very well structured. There is a day release system where we go to college every Monday for 12 hours and then fill in the rest of our 36 hour contract on-site. This means that we get a very effective blend of both practical and theory elements.

Babcock look after their apprentices very well in my opinion. They provide all the training that we require in order to be suitable for a job when we complete the apprenticeship as well as help to guide us through job application processes. We have a dedicated mentor to go to and they are very helpful in assisting us with any issues.

We get all the help we need from the college as well as through internal training which is provided by Babcock. This means that when our apprenticeship has finished, and we are applying for jobs on site, we have all the relevant qualifications and grades that are needed for the role.

My qualifications that I recieve from babcock will help me a lot in the future when it comes to getting making a career within babcock. During the length of the apprenticeship we receive all the relevant training and qualifications, including health and safety, that we will need to advance into our chosen career path.

There is a Gym on site and members of it are always able to enter any of the competitions or events that are going on. These are normally organised by the RAF gym staff and trainers, but any member of the gym (including babcock staff) are also able to take part.

Yes

It is a very good company to work for. Also, it is local to me and probably one of the best places to have a career in around where I live! The skills and qualifications you gain from Babcocks apprenticeship scheme can also be taken to other areas engineering careers!

The advice I would give to others is to keep on top of the college and NVQ Level 3 work as there can be a lot. It is easy to become overwhelmed if it is ignored! The best personal advice I would give is to always be willing and show that you are keen to learn.