Engineering Apprentice Review

Our hours are 7-3 and throughout our day we shadow the technicians and try to learn as much as we can. As an apprentice you should try and use tools as much as you can, getting the most experience and practice as possible. You never know what you are going to get up to, from installations to simple problem solving on systems.

I've lost count of the amount of skills I've learnt. We spend our first year in college where you spend your time doing electrical, mechnical, welding, machining and installation work. I've learned theortical and practical skills and improved any existing knowledge I had before the apprenticeship. I can confidently say I learn a new skill everyday.

I'm honestly loving the apprenticeship. I never find myself being bored as there is always something to do or someone to help. You are constantly surrounded by people with years of experience who are open to help you learn and enjoy being in work. I always find myself looking back on my day, thinking about the new skills and knowledge that I have picked up during that day.

I always know what I need to be doing, from the first year in college where you always know what is going on and where you need to be, to my current year where I know how long I'll be on a section and where I need to be days before hand. Any extra events are planned weeks in advance allowing me to prepare to do my best at all times.

The support is amazing, no matter what you need everyone is hear to help you, any issues you have you can go straight to the apprentice manager who is there for you 24/7. If you need some extra help or you need to call in with a problem, someone is always there to support you and sort it out.

Whilst in college there is always someone to help you along, they have dedicated apps for you to call in absent, and you have constant access to the lecturers contact information. If you have any questions or any issues there is always soe to support you and fix the issue. You have regular reviews so you always know how you are doing and if you are on track.

The year in college is very important, everything you learn is there to help you once you come to work, from theoretical knowledge of systems to your skill with tools and equipment, it is all there to assist you. As the intake for the apprenticeship is from 16, some of the new intake may not have much experience, so gaining those skills and knowledge is very important for succeeding in your role.

Due to Covid not many events can be held, but Gatwick is constantly persuing schools trying to teach younger students about engineering and talk about the apprenticeship. This is an amazing way to meet other staff at Gatwick are you are always working as part of a team. As an apprentice you can also go on Outward Bound every year, where you go away for a week doing different activities such as climbing and hiking.

Yes

The apprenticeship is an amazing opportunity where you build the skills and knowledge which you will carry for the rest of your career. You are always supported and surrounded by friendly people who want to help and teach you what they know. The benefits are incredible especially at such a young age. It's the perfect chance to start a career in engineering and at Gatwick, which you will never want to leave.

Try and stand out, everyone has different skills but try and show off the things which set you apart from other candidates. It doesn't matter how old you are either, if you apply they are looking for someone who is ethusiastic and ready to learn, and work to the best of their ability to succeed.