Apprentice Support Engineer Review

I am currently working in the offsite services department and work with my team to process subcontractors access requests into the Dockyard. It is my responsibility to ensure that all of them have the training and clearances required to access the site to be able to complete their work activities.

I have become much more confident using Microsoft applications such as word and excel, helping to me complete my job much more efficiently. I have also improved my communication skills, having to send emails and have phone calls with external companies on a regular basis, helping to ensure their visit to the Dockyard runs smoothly.

Overall I am enjoying my training within my apprenticeship, being able to try a variety of different placements across the three year placement period. I have been lucky enough to be placed in teams that want to help me progress within the company, supporting me to reach my set goals.

I believe the course is fairly well organised as we are given a placement plan to show where we will be going in the future. However, I don't believe that this is communicated well with the departments as they are not always prepared to take on an apprentice. For example, when we joined in September, we spent several weeks waiting around to be put in our placements, but used the time to complete NVQ work.

On a four monthly basis we receive a report from our apprentice development managers who receive a report from our current mentors to show how we have been getting on. This is then read by our ADM who provides their own feedback and sets targets for us to meet for our next review, ensuring we are always progressing.

At college we receive a lot of support from our lecturers to support our studies within their subject. We are able to contact them any time we need support and they will do their best to improve our understanding and help us to reach our target grades by the end of the year.

During our first year we completed an engineering qualification using hands on skills, however since working in the Dockyard we have not used any of these skills as they are not relevant to our job role due to use being office based. I believe we could benefit more at college by completing more business based qualifications.

I know at Devonport we have the Devonport Royal Dockyard Sport and Social Club which is a community we are able to join where we are offered many benefits. They provide access to golf corporate cards and offer discounted gym memberships to all members. They also encourage members to get in contact to try a wide variety of sports.

Yes

Babcock offer a safe and rewarding career path to all of their employees. For apprentices, we are able to receive high quality training during the four year course and receive a lot of onsite training and work experience to help prepare us for when we become fully qualified and have increased responsibilities.

Ensure that you are keen to learn and well driven to reach your goals. It is important to take in all of the training you receive over the four year period to help ensure you are fully equipped to become a fully qualified engineer by the end of your apprenticeship.