Air Apprentice Technician Review

My role within the Apprenticeship is to learn and pass several Modules related to what I will do in the latter years of my Apprenticeship. On a daily basis, I would enter the Academy in the morning and either go to the classroom or the workshop depending on the work that we are doing, i.e. theory or practical.

Yes, I have learnt many new practical skills within my first time at the workshop (I am yet to go in again but will at some point in the near future). Once I have learnt these basic skills, I then strived to further develop those skills onto a more professional and accurate level.

I really enjoy the programme and I am very pleased that I made the choice to join the Apprenticeship in the first place. I feel like I have learnt many important information and skills both professionally and socially. Although it may be hard sometimes module-wise, it is still do-able if you put the work and effort in.

So far there seems to be a solid structure throughout the first year - although I find it to be slightly too long in some areas and slightly too quick in others. I also found the structure around the Module 6 & 7 tests to not be the greatest, as both tests were based on practical topics that we only had limited theoretical knowledge of, I personally found that if we had also required the practical knowledge prior to doing both tests that myself and my cohort would have performed significantly higher as we would have been able to apply practical, hands-on knowledge as well.

I receive a lot of support from both the employer and my colleagues. The employer has always given advice and told us who to go to if we have an issues/problems. Every 12 weeks we receive an LTA, where we have a meeting and access the past 12 weeks, in this meeting we have the opportunity to have 1-on-1 discussions on not only work but also personal issues/problems if there are any.

I receive a lot of support and positive feedback from my trainer when working towards my qualifications and modules. They have always stated that if we are unsure of anything that we should just ask and it will be covered differently for a better understanding. I enjoy working with all the trainers as they provide a different outlook and way of thought when teaching and they always try to work with the best of everyone's abilities.

I am very confident that the qualifications received will have a positive impact on my performance, as I know and feel like I have learnt a lot more valuable information and when I look back on when I first began I can see a positive difference knowledge and skill-wise, as well as in my professionalism and behaviour.

As far as I am aware, there is not many extra-curricular activities to get involved in where I currently am, apart from revision/remedial sessions with my colleagues in the 4-5pm time-slot. I am sure that when I go further into the 2nd, 3rd and 4th years of my Apprenticeship that many more extra-curricular opportunities will arise.

Yes

It is a great experience and opportunity when trying to begin and further your journey within the engineering and aviation industry. You get to learn valuable information with people that you will work with and know for many years to come. Furthermore, you get to learn both theoretical and practical knowledge, which is rather limited in other places such as University.

When applying, give 100% effort into everything that you do - especially interviews. Knowledge of the company, what they do, and it's whereabouts is vital when trying to sell yourself. Also, try to go to Open Days and try to get Work Experience whenever possible, as these things will not only provide a greater knowledge but also they begin the step of "getting your foot in the door" and hopefully a long-lasting career.