HGV Aprentice Review

My working day starts at 07:30 and i work on a variety of tracked vehicles but currently working on the Challenger 2 main battle tank, I report to my apprentice mentor in the morning and they will go through what tasks we are carrying out for the day. This could range from a 6month service to engine & Gearbox removal. I also float between sections if they need help with certain work for example i could be marshalling a vehicle or lifting equipment using the overhead crane.

Yes. I have learnt a vast amount of skills ranging from hand tools to engineering equipment such as the overhead crane, Also my mechanical knowledge of understanding how certain components & Vehicles work has improved greatly. I have been granted access to many training courses which keep my knowledge up to date regarding health and safety and common work practices.

My course has caused a lot of stress and anxiety for me due to my intake being the guinea pigs for a new course and college, the course has never run smoothly due to the college side of the course not relating to the work side. For example at college I am doing a level 3 HGV working on royal mail trucks and transit tippers in order to complete job cards and upload my evidence for my qualification but when i am at work i am working on military tracked vehicles which do not relate in the slightest to a HGV. This has mad passing exams and gaining knowledge on HGVS very difficult as I do not work on or see HGVS at my workplace. Babcock would have been better putting us on a agricultural course as a lot of farmers vehicles are tracks and hydraulics.

I am on my third year of my apprenticeship and the whole course has been unorganised from the start. I have had a new boss every year due to their job role not being what they thought it would be. This has resulted in lack of enthusiasm from apprentices as we were not receiving the training and courses that we should have.

The guys on the shop floor who you work closely with are brilliant. Always happy to teach and help you if you don't understand certain bits of the job and they create a fun atmosphere to work in. However supervisors and upwards is where it falls apart sadly due to them not being interested in having apprentices on there section and also finding any reason to have a moan at you just because they can. I give a 10* RATING TO MENTORS AND GUYS ON THE TOOLS. Supervisors i give a 0.

College support us as much as they can, however they have admitted themselves that we are on the wrong course and should be training on vehicles more related to work. The lectures do the minimum they have to in order to get the course syllabus ticked off. Its been a common occurrence for when we are doing practise tests or exams that when we ask the lecturer for the answer they themselves even get it wrong more often than not.

My qualification doesn't help me perform better in my role. What does help me perform better is having a good mentor who teaches you in a way you understand and that they are passionate about what they do. Most supervisors for this company have never been mechanics or are even qualified mechanics but rather have sat on a management course and slid in at the top thus not having a clue when we approach them asking for help with either course work or a general knowledge question regarding mechanics.

Nothing. The only extra you can do i s join the Babcock sponsored reserves which entitles you to a salary increase as you are classed as REME in the army. The company do not want to spend money on sports teams or creating a gateway for fun activities. Its hard enough trying to replace your safety boots when the steel toe is hanging out because you get an earful about the budget so i cant ever imagine Babcock would start a sports team.

No

I informed my friends about the apprenticeship when the job came available to apply for and the communication was that bad they both just withdrew there application. The problem with big company's like this is they will have the people in the flash suits conducting the interview but 9 times out of 10 they are not even previous mechanics themselves but yet they would turn you down for not having the relevant experience.

If anyone i knew applied to work at Babcock i would tell them to expect: *Poor Communication *Poor Organisation * Constant date/Plan changing *Ask about the wages (Then you'll see why they never list the salary on the job advert) *Don't ever take the job on a promise you will be offered a certain role or course because this will never happen for you.