Commissioning Engineering Apprentice Review

My experience so far has been poor. The tasks and jobs i have completed have not been engineering based or focused which doesn't appeal to me. Overall the work isn't rewarding and is often frustrating as i don't feel like i'm learning anything. The first 6 months i was doing college work as the placement i was in had no structure for apprentices. The last 2 months in my second placement has been equally as difficult, i have been updating the database that controls the Safety, Health and environment inspections for the site. Recently asked to move placements as that has nothing to do with engineering.

Since starting in September the only thing i have been working towards is the compressed HNC in mechanical engineering. Having already worked in engineering prior to joining i cant say i have developed or learnt any new skills so far within placement. Additionally any skills that i have learnt from college i have had to teach myself because they have severe staff shortages.

Having left another engineering discipline where i was offered a significant educational and financial package to stay. I decided to change and take on a BAE apprenticeship to work on submarines, both the college and placements have not been what i expected when i joined. I find myself bored and without meaningful work to complete which will increase my skillset. Having recently asked to move placements i think this is the last chance for BAE to get it right this time. On a positive note i have enjoyed making friends with my engineering cohort who joined the business with me.

The induction was adequate considering it was online because of covid 19. It took at least 4 weeks after the induction to get onto site and be able to meet my placement manager and start work. However my first placement was poor and lacked any content or structure for the commissioning apprentices to follow. Since moving into my second placement i realised the type of work had no connection to engineering or commissioning and i really didn't enjoy the work i was doing.

The support we have received has been not great but not terrible. We have had continuous problems with college having no one to take lectures, incorrect assignment and test marking. An extremely disruptive year which has affected our ability to learn. Within work the support has been better as i have mentioned i have raised awareness that i was not happy within my 2nd placement so i eventually got moved, although i haven't started yet as changing zones and getting security is a lengthy procedure.

As mentioned earlier the college has been struggling to provide adequate lecturers to support our learning. They have attempted to employ new staff and agency staff however they know very little about the course and have been teaching to a poor standard. We have complained several times and had meetings discussing the problems however the actions taken from these meetings have not been completed by the college. I enjoy the experience of learning however Furness College is the worst college i have attended so far and i have studied in 3 colleges.

I have very little opportunity to demonstrate any of my engineering knowledge or action any skills that i have been developing at college. Its like i go to college to study for an engineering qualification but then i work for a company doing admin tasks when i don't have to study.

There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in. STRETCH opportunities to get involved in something other than placement work to develop your skills. I regularly socialise with my 2021 engineering cohort going out and working as a group to improve morale. We are all attending an outward bound course in June which i am looking forward to.

No

Overall my experience has been poor. I left a significantly higher paying job to work on submarines and solve complex engineering problems in a team but so far i have just been completing admin work. I have decided to give BAE another opportunity to demonstrate that i made the right choice joining by changing to a more engineering focused placement where i can actually learn and develop my skills.

BAE Systems submarines from my experience is slow. I am used to a fast paced environment with daily challenges and problems to solve. My experience here has been that everything happens very slowly and there is allot of sitting around and waiting. So far i think i have been unlucky my placements have been poor compared to my peers. Slow reaction times and sometimes reluctance to make a change to ensure i can continue to develop is affecting my morale and will to stay at the company.