Apprentice Engineer Review

I write reports and produce technology alert forms that require searches for technological assets on the highway. The reports I create are to renew or implement technology on the highways network. This requires a lot of research into finding out current faults and accident trends in the area of the proposed works.

I have developed my report writing skills throughout my time under taking this apprenticeship. I have also developed my team working skills in this job role as i never really had exposure to this side of working before. I have also developed my problem solving skills as a lot of the work requires last minute changes and you have to find the most reasonable outcome.

As I was only told I had to complete my NVQ after completing my course when it should have been whilst I was completing it the enjoyment was slightly drained as I feel I should have been made aware of needing to complete this element sooner. However, up until that point I enjoyed the opportunities provided and had fun working in the team.

I feel the structure needed some work as I was only told about needing to do an NVQ as part of my qualification after I completed my main course. This then limited me for the future and made it harder to progress. I also felt the organisation of the programme wasn't the best as we should have changed colleges and were told we were, due to the poor teaching standard we were provided with.

The support provided is good in places but the structure needs to be in place before the programme starts to get any real benefit from it. Sometimes you will get the help you need and other times you feel like you need more help. Help is usually there if you ask and most people are friendly enough to ask.

I feel there was no clear contact from the training provider and felt like a number when there was. The course we were put on was externally provided and from my viewpoint nothing was done when we complained about the standards of this college. They did get in contact when there was an error with the NVQ but didn't appear to take any responsibility for not informing myself or the college that i was meant to be doing one.

I feel that the qualification side of the apprenticeship was a completely different element due to it only being very loosely related. The only real aspect of the qualification that could be carried over is the exam writing. I do not feel the course selected was that relevant for the role as most of the learning was done on the job.

There used to be a football event every week however due to covid this has had to stop. There is also currently a walk taking place for charity that requires teams to go on a walk. Professional networking events were quite regular if you asked to be put on them and are quite fun as you get the chance to network and meet new faces.

Yes

I feel that it is a great place to work and to learn. However, i would be cautious of the qualification side of the course as that is what has slowed my development down. It is a great place to be part of a team and develop your career otherwise.

I would make sure you know that this is the line of work that you want to be in and that you are hungry to learn more about this line of work. Enjoy the assessment day if you have one as I'm sure that the more comfortable you look the better your chances are.