Engineering Apprentice Review

I’m a first year apprentice so I spend the majority of my time at college studying. I do a mixture of theory and practical classes. My theory classes include mechanical, electrical principles, PLC, maths and health and safety, I also do engineering drawing and 3D CAD. My practical classes include of electrical installation, Machining, Hand fitting, pneumatics and hydraulics and welding. Although college is interesting and the practical is fun, my favourite part is that during the half terms and breaks, I am able to go to the airport and spend a the time in a department (baggage, airfield, shuttle, specialist systems, HVAC or life safety). This is my favourite part as I get to spend time at the airport in the different departments and with technicians that are able to share their knowledge with me and teach me about the work they do around the airport which is really interesting and helps improve practical and theory skills.

I didn't have a lot of practical experience before I started this apprenticeship, and even with being at college, I've improved greatly on my practical skills, I've had more experience using different tools, hand tools and electrical tools and I've been introduced to new machines, such as the milling machines and the lathes which I have learned how to use and how to create components on. I've also learned how to weld using different types of welding processes and weld together different types of joints. I've also learned how to install electrical circuits, such as lighting systems, so I have gained skills in mechanical and electrical engineering. As well as practical skills, I have developed and gained knowledge in the theoretical areas. So far, I have built upon the physics and maths that I already knew and have gone deeper into the topics and have also learnt new topics in those areas and learnt how to apply them to real life in the types of engineering that we do.

I greatly enjoy my apprenticeship program. Being only in my first year, I still have so much to look forward to but so far, I have enjoyed it. The people I work with, both apprentices and technicians are all kind and willing to share their knowledge with you and help you learn and help you where needed. The company as a whole is amazing, they treat their staff and apprentices well and are always there if you have any issues. The apprenticeship has both met and exceed the expectations I had for it, it's been incredible so far.

My programme is very well structured. I was first introduced to the company by being showed around the different departments then being shown what work they do and then I was introduced to the college I would be studying out and was introduced to the course that I'd be doing. The course's subjects were all chosen to suit the job and they all help each other and all relate to the job and can be applied to the work done at the airport. As well as getting the support needed from the teachers at college, we have regular meetings with our manager who is there to support us and help us where needed. Being able to spend the term breaks at the airport allows us to put the skills we've learned at college to use which is really helpful. Overall the structure of the programme is really well done so that everything relates to each other and allows us to transfer our skills from college to actual work whilst still learning.

We have regular meetings with our employer who is there for us to talk to about any issues we have or to ask for anything that we need and give us guidance or advice on anything. We also have mentors that are there for a similar reason and are there for us to talk to them about anything we need and they are also there to help us if we need it. Gatwick always makes sure that we're ok and have no issues and if we do, they are more than happy to help in any way they can.

When working towards the qualifications we are studying for at college, we get support from all the lecturers that teach us in the different classes that we do. They are there to answer any questions that we have and help us with any work. We also have a tutor at college who is there to help and support us with any issues that we have. The college also has a department with a team that is there for us to talk if we have any issues, with work or with home life, which is really good to know that there are people for us to talk to if we need.

All the classes we do relate to something we do at the airport, they're not all applied to all of the departments but they are all used somewhere in the airport. All the practical skills that I've learnt have helped me when I've been at the airport as the have allowed me to work with all the tools and machines with confidence and all the theory lessons have allowed me to understand the work we do at the airport more as I have a basic knowledge of the theory behind the practical. The qualification I'm studying for has given me a more expanded knowledge of the engineering industry and of electrical and mechanical engineering.

As apprentices, we do Outward bounds in the summer. This is where we go away for a week to the Lake District and do lots of hiking, canoeing, climbing, abseiling and many other activities which is fun and is also good for getting to know the other apprentices and for team building. We also do many STEM events at schools where we encourage kids to get into engineering and also talk to them about apprenticeships. As apprentices, we also have regular meet ups with all the apprentices which are a nice social event where we can catch up with one another and talk about the work we've been doing and ask each other questions.

Yes

I would recommend Gatwick to anyone because they are great in every way. They offer amazing and unique experience when it comes to engineering and they cover both electrical and mechanical engineering so give you a wide range of experience and knowledge. The qualifications you get are a great start to get into industry and the knowledge they give you is like none other and it is all used when you are working on the job. They support you through your apprenticeship and offer many opportunities outside of just work at the airport, you get the chance to speak at schools and host STEM events which helps develop your social skills as well as your engineering skills. I highly recommend the Gatwick apprenticeship to anyone that wants to start their career in the engineering industry.

The advice I'd give is don't worry about whether you think you've got enough experience or not, I had very little, make sure you show your passion for engineering, show that you're interested in it and that you want the apprenticeship. Also make sure that you be yourself and answer any questions asked as you would, not like the answer you googled would, they want to know what you're like and are more interested in your own answer than a model answer. Also, just go for it, don't be scared to, you won't regret it, it's a phenomenal apprenticeship and even the application process is all very good experience of what a job application is like.