Higher Level Naval Architecture Apprentice Review

My role is currently, as an apprentice is learning aspects of the job of a naval architect within Babcock, on the construction and repair of marine vessels for our customers the HMS Royal Navy. By being an apprentice and still learning the trade, I'm getting more hands on experience.

Through my recent time as an apprentice, I have learnt various hands skills e.g. grinding, oxy-fuel cutting, drilling etc due to having to carry out a 6 month placement on my tools. I have also learnt applications of the use of systems on board, by carrying out sufficient testing.

I enjoy how varied your days are. One day you could be working on one aspect of the job, to the next day working on something completely different. I also enjoy the learning development within Babcock, as all colleagues are very helpful assist in your understanding and roles carried out.

Within Babcock organisation itself is organised around the apprentices, trying to abide to our needs and aspects of the apprenticeship criteria we need to hit e.g. putting us on various placements. However, the College programme is less structured and organised to due in sufficient lecturing and relay of information.

I receive a lot of support by my employer, as they have put in place Apprentice Development Managers to assist to all apprentice needs and concerns if they arise. The ADM's are always accessible by various means of communication e.g. phone/email and always keep all apprentices updated.

City College Plymouth have tried to navigate around the pandemic of Covid-19 carrying out online teaching. I personally find this hard to grasp, due to not getting sufficient interaction that you would get in a normal lesson. This is due to teaching off powerpoints and structure of information is poor.

The qualification which I will obtain, is a great stepping stone into the marine engineering industry and will give me a good basic understandings of aspects to my job role. It will allow me to develop my understanding for the applicational process behind various jobs my role is applied to.

Babcock do give the opportunity to join various extra-curricular activities external to current job roles to create more of a community within the company. A few examples of extra-curricular activities Babcock provide during the working day: STEM Apprentice Ambassador Union representatives

Yes

Babcock as a company pay very well in terms of an apprenticeship and also give you the fundamental support from day one. They attend to your needs and do all they can to accommodate you throughout your time, ensuring you are developing key skills and understandings to pass your apprenticeship.

Do your research about the company and trade your applying for before the interview. Also, put yourself out there for the assessment day trying to engage with the group your placed in. Once your in ask as many questions as you need about various jobs you carry out within Babcock