Mechanical Designer Review

My job as a designer comprises of many ever changing roles. This can be from producing work, helping others who have started after me and teach others how to carry out their jobs successfully if needed. I can be assigned to any task so the work i am doing is always varied.

I have learnt how to use various CAD packages and being in an office environment has helped develop my social skills massively. I also now have a better understanding of engineering drawings and how to interpret them. I have also expanded my education through things such as my HNC and NVQ

At first i found things to be a little tough/daunting just with the scale of the business and how much there was to learn but as time went on i started to learn more and more about the smaller, individual things that helped to understand everything as a whole.

Most of the time, the programme has gone very smoothly and it's surprising how fast things have come around as i'm near the end of my apprenticeship already. However there have been occasions where things have been delayed and especially when it comes to working with external providers.

I am pleased with all the support i have received so far during my apprenticeship. I am constantly reminded that if i ever need help with anything, whether that be the apprenticeship itself and the work that goes with it, or mental/ other personal issues, they are more than happy to help even if it is just to talk.

When it comes to support towards my qualifications, i receive plenty when i need it. They do encourage personal development and to attempt challenges alone but if things get tough or i find myself struggling, they are more than happy to offer assistance. If anything is confusing to me or i do not understand it, they can basically explain anything to me in full.

The content/qualification that i have been provided by my training provider i feel is very relevant to my day to day job and tests me on the things that i know/don't know. It has also enabled me to get a better understanding of the business and the role i have.

There are plenty of extra-curricular activities available if we have the time. There are plenty of opportunities to visit local schools and give students an idea on the role we perform and the opportunities that come with the job. We also do annual beach cleans when you start the apprenticeship to not only give back to the community but to also help the environment.

Yes

Just the overall experience of it so far has been great. As mentioned earlier it was tough at the start as it's such a huge business and there is so much to get your head around but as you learn more and more of the smaller bits you soon understand the bigger picture. The qualifications you get from the apprenticeship set you up for life in the design and engineering world so if you ever wanted to try something different elsewhere, the option is certainly there.

Don't expect to know everything in the first 2-3 years. There is just so much to learn. Take your time, try and get your head around the smaller things first and over time you'll gradually begin to understand the business as a whole and you'll feel proud to work for such a company.