Control and Instrumentation Maintenance Apprentice Review

My role involves a 3 year apprenticeship where I will learn to maintain equipment that allows for automation processes to take place. I have to work through projects that incorporate various skills and that increase in difficulty. Along side this I attend Basingstoke College to complete a Level 3 BTEC in Electronics engineering.

I have 100% learnt new skills since joining AWE as I came into the company with no practical knowledge in engineering. The projects we work through in the academy help build basic hand skills like stripping wire, soldering and cable management. These can be tedious, but are a necessary evil to set you up for your future in the company. There is a high standard set with the quality of your projects to meet, but in the long term this will serve you well.

I enjoy coming into work every day as at AWE there are so many opportunities. The company is so vast that there are endless paths to go down and lots of opportunities to network. I enjoy interacting with like minded people mostly and being in an environment that is truly unique, I highly doubt there is anywhere like AWE in the country. I have previously never worker in a truly professional environment so to come to AWE and be presented with lots of opportunities is what makes me grateful to be here.

Depending on your personality type, the structure of the course could be positive or negative for you. There is a lot of emphasis placed on independent work in the Skills Academy at AWE, so there are no strict time schedules in terms of project completion which results in people progress becoming very scattered. Again, this can help build a good independent work ethic if you have the continued drive and determination to come in an get your work done. However, if you find yourself coming in one day tired and unmotivated, as I have, you can easily slip under the radar and not get much done. But overall I feel this is a good thing as it allows you to work at your own pace (within reason) and allows you to build an independent work ethic.

I have no qualms with the quality of my line managers, they are always willing to help and try their best to help whenever they can. The only issue is that I feel they are slightly stretched in terms of how many apprentices they have to over sea. Some of the year two apprentices have much more technical project to complete so this may take up a full day of their attention, but this is out of their control. The academy have hired another instructor to help this. They place an importance on individually verifying your work and making user it is up to standards prior to submitting and also checking with your peers before submitting.

I feel that the supporting educational qualification at BCoT is the main/ only real weak spot of the apprenticeship. I feel there is a disparity in terms of quality between the on site Skills Academy and BCoT. I for one have not suffered due to the lack of attentiveness that some of my fellow apprentices have felt at the college, but it is clear to see that it does take place and that the course can sometimes feel a bit irrelevant. For example, like with most BTECs we have a business unit which is very generalised and completely useless moving forward. I have previously completed an electronics EAL at Lincoln college which was multiple times better than the one I'm currently completing at BCoT, in virtually every aspect. However, you are still receiving a Level 3 Btec which can get you on to your Level 4, 5 & 6 after completion of your apprenticeship.

We undertake SIAS qualification at the end of our apprenticeship (similar to an NVQ) which is a vocational qualification that specifically tests our understanding of maintenance tasks relative to out trade (control & instrumentation). I have not undertaken this yet buy from what I've heard its the most relevant task you will complete with regards to our tole on site. So I feel this is a valuable part of the course and will provide evidence that you can actually carry out your role effectively.

Yes. There are multiple on the side organisations you can get involved in that support inclusion like gender and disability. I have joined the 3A's which is a society within the academy that hosts events and charity fundraisers which gives good experience and shows proactiveness. Also, I have benefited greatly from the companies choice to work with Lexxic (a neurodiversity company) that seeks to support apprentices that may need a touch more than others.

Yes

A very unique environment, a very diverse environment. Lots of opportunities in terms of roles, networking and career development. The possibility of being supported for further education (4, 5 & 6+). And a great place to work at for your career moving forward. And the 9 day fortnight is pretty good.

Follow the rules, there's a lot of things that can get you in hot water due to the nature of the business. Don't act like its a school, you're expected to act like adults, of course you can have a laugh but be mindful of how much of this you're doing. Grab every opportunity with both hands.