Support Engineer Apprentice Review

On a day to day basis I am carrying out tasks that can vary day to day depending on the placement I am in for example at the minute I am completing access bookings, as well as training bookings whether that be on site or at a specific location within the Babcock site

During the apprenticeship covid has caused me to work from home for a lot of the time, however in each placement I have been assigned a mentor who has been demonstrating different tasks and how to complete them by sharing their screen on skype whilst talking me through it

I really enjoy the work I do, especially coming from a previously physically demanding job. The apprenticeship has been a breath of fresh air, using my academic and people skills to help develop my learning to a higher level. I can really see a progression path within this programme and the possibilities are endless.

I think the programme is well organised of course it has been difficult this past year but we were given our placement sat the start of the year with allocated dates on when we start and finish at different placements. Our apprentice development managers ensure that we have a placement.

I receive support if I require it, the good thing about this apprenticeship is you aren't nagged for coursework to be completed by a set date, the emphasis is placed on you to do as it is in your best interest to do so for both development and money (pay rise).

My training provider is very beneficial to me, I go to college once a week for a full day and within this time I cover the 4 Units that need to be completed by the end of this year. Any additional resources we may require access to outside of college tomes are uploaded to google classroom.

My qualification is very varied in terms of both the college units and the work I carry out within work. Although sometimes there is no link to college units and work I carry out I feel it gives me a good insight to other areas of engineering that I may not come across within work such as welding.

Within work there are a variety of different groups that you can join, for me the most important group to join in the union. Although this costs money to joi9n the benefits it gives you far outweigh the cost, it gives you the sense that someone will always have your back if you were ever in a difficult situation.

Yes

Babcock offers high quality training with the high chance of employment after your apprenticeship. Babcock is seen as a job for life and offers a high level of job security especially in this current economy. All staff are friendly and want the bets for you and your career. Overall it is somewhere that should be considered and goes above and beyond a standard apprenticeship.

The interview phases can be daunting as they go on for a long period of time and are very competitive but if you prepare correctly such as carrying out research into the company then it goes a long way. Don't limit yourself to one set path because in Babcock there are so many opportunities all over the business.