Apprentice Engineer Review

I am a first year engineering apprentice at Gatwick airport. During the first year I am at college five days a week with the opportunity to work at the airport during inset days and half terms. The first year of college involves a course designed to improve your practical skills as well as boost your theoretically knowledge. There are classes such as welding, turning and milling, and hand fitting which teaches you how to operate the equipment and tools which helps develop your overall skills working practically and teaches you different techniques with tools to use in your work environment. On the other hand, there are classes such as mechanical principles and electrical principles which gives you a detailed understand of the scientific laws and principles that apply to the jobs you are doing. During half terms when you are able to work at the airport, you are placed in a department within the engineering team and have the opportunity to shadow skilled technicians and learn the ins and outs of how the industry work. This opportunity also gives you a basic knowledge of how the systems work at the airport which you will be working on later in the apprenticeship.

While at college I have learnt a number of new practical skills as well as developed and built on existing theoretical knowledge. I have learnt how to create professional welds in a number of different techniques, how to operate manufacturing equipment like milling machines and lathes, developed my skills with tools and hand tools, how to install a number of electrical circuits correctly with sufficient testing and how to design, model and process 3D designs on a CAD software. On top of what I have learnt in college, whilst at the airport I have had the opportunity to shadow and learn from skilled technicians about systems in the airport. Whilst working in the specialist department I have learnt many maintenance techniques surrounding electrics and water management and have been able to carry out jobs such as camera testing and replacement as well as pc replacement on an x-ray system.

I have really enjoyed my experience so far into my first year. The college Gatwick have chosen have a interesting and enjoyable course which teaches you most the basics you need to know in the industry. However, the most enjoyable part of the program is when you get to experience working in the airport. Everyone is really nice and helps when you have questions and the jobs you learn how to carry out are a fun challenge which are always interesting to complete.

Overall all the four year apprenticeship program is very well organised and the structure of the program is made clear to you right from the start. The first year is a full time college course with the opportunity to work at the airport during half terms from 7am-3pm. The second year is majority based at the airport with day release at college continuing the course. The third year is when apprentices begin shift work at the airport and work alongside one shift in a department whilst still being on day release at college. The fourth year is the same time layout as the third year however you go on to working on an engineering HNC.

Although the first year of the apprenticeship is a full time college course, our employer regularly visits us to provide check up on how we are doing, support us with any college problems, and inform us on updates and changes happening at the airport. These regular visits are very helpful and supportive and remind you that although you are at college, you are still a part of the Gatwick team.

The college has a well structured curriculum for teaching the qualifications that are being provided. However, if you are struggling with anything going on, the college provides lots of support and assistance with any problems you are having. You are also matched with a course leader who regularly carries out one on one meetings to see how the course is going, listens to any problems that you have and gives advice on what action to take and who to speak to.

The qualifications provided by the college help develop a number of useful skills that definitely help your performance when going into work. Theory based assignments are a large part of the course you do and teach you a detailed knowledge on subjects such as mechanical principles, electrical principles, and PLC programming. These skills carry onto the job well and give you a good idea of of the maths and theory that goes into the jobs carried out at work like wiring and setting up circuits and fitting mechanical equipment into systems. Another large part of the course is the practical classes provided such as welding, milling, turning, hand fitting, and electrical installation. All of these classes develop your hands on skills with tools and equipment which is a valued asset in the workplace. Having a good skill with tools and equipment always helps in an engineering environment and helps with almost every job carried out at the airport.

There are not any set extra-curricular activities set for every employee at Gatwick airport. However, every year during the apprenticeship, all the apprentices go away together on an Out of Bounds trip. This is a week long trip that gives a great opportunity to meet the other apprentices in the other years and take part in a number team building exercises and challenges.

Yes

Gatwick is an amazing place to work. Not only does it provide you with great skills and knowledge that you can take anywhere in your life, everyone in the workplace is nice, supportive and get on well. It is also obvious from working here that Gatwick really cares about the development of their apprentices. Everyone is always willing to share knowledge with you, teach you things that you are not sure on, and are patient when any mistakes are made.

An important part of applying for an apprenticeship is appearing keen and driven to wanting to learn. Although having previous knowledge is helpful, Gatwick really looks for determined people who are willing to work hard and put in the effort to learn everything they can. It is always helpful to show examples of these skills during your applications by saying times you demonstrated your determination and drive to learn to show others that you are not just saying you are, there have been times that have proven you are.