Electrical Engineer Review

My role is to learn from experienced electrical engineers on Faslane throughout my apprenticeship to become one myself. I am assigned jobs with them and I am questioned on my knowledge of the job and other aspects of it. This happens more or less everyday on days I do not have to attend college to add further qualifications to my record.

I have learnt new skills such as identification of materials and other types of equipment. Coming from a very practical and hands on background, I have been able to further enhance my skills such as practicality and all round on job behaviours. Throughout my apprenticeship so far, I have had to deal with new skills such as timekeeping and had to use my initiative a lot more than previous.

I really enjoy my apprenticeship as it has brought me together with people my own age and a little older who like to think the same way as myself. This makes working together a lot easier as we often see things the same way and enjoy the challenge of adjusting our usual method/routines to ensure the job or task goes as planned. I also enjoy the mature side to my job as coming straight from school, I was still classed as a child whereas in my apprenticeship I feel a lot more responsibility and individuality is given.

My programme is very well structured and organised. We are told exactly how it will pan out over a 4 year course at the very start of the application process and that it is followed through on. I feel that the different parts of the apprenticeship link up well with its timing. An example being in my 2nd year we carry out jobs and log them in our log books but in 3rd year we have job observations by our assessor which fits the apprentice’s knowledge and understanding side of the job very well.

At Babcock, we are given a lot of support wether that be inside of work or outside. It is made clear to us that if we do feel there is something going on inside the workplace that we cannot speak to our section managers about then we can go to our assessor or line manager with full confidence. With that being said, the same also applies for anything that happens outside of the workplace. There are even well-being reviews every month to ensure that we are happy with how we are being treated, taught, feel, etc.

We are provided with a large amount of support for achieving our qualifications. The staff at West College Scotland were very attentive to us throughout our first and second year for when we had any issues or queries. On the other hand however, high standards are demanded of the training provider which sounds scary saying but with the support provided it is something very each to both achieve and understand.

I feel that the training provided to us is very helpful for performing better in our role on site. A lot of the things taught at college are things that we see almost daily on site and work with a lot. The training almost feels specific to us as we are taught about things on submarines that can also be used on land but not many other places would teach it as a custom topic the way it has been made out to us.

There are a few extra circular activities to get involved in at work such as work involving the union, STEM qualifications and a few more. Even days where we are allowed to spectate interviews going on is a great thing to attend as it gives an insight on what the different techniques are to get the best from someone and put them at ease, etc.

Yes

I would recommend a friend to Babcock as it is a massive company who offer the best to people looking to pursue a career in engineering. From my experience, the company has a very firm ‘only the best’ attitude towards everything like how staff are treated, the safety of staff, the quality of work, the clothing given. It is a company that young people all across the world should want to work for as it gives people like us the best start at a career in engineering.

One key piece of advice I would give to someone applying to Babcock is that you should try and give the best possible picture of yourself. Backgrounds are nothing to the people in the company so no matter how wealthy or poor someone is, Babcock is open to everyone and this is something that is very important in the world we live in today