Level 3Interior Surface Apprentice Review

On a normal day to day basis at work, I arrive at Rolls-Royce motor cars at 6am. I begin my day with a area meeting to discuss any problems/ comments that the other shift may have left previously for us to be aware of before we begin working. I then begin training, shadowing the technician in whatever placement I am working in at the time. whether that be pressing, veneer prep or milling, for example.

Previously, I have trained to become a fully qualified joiner. This has given me and advantage on my hand skills and knowledge within wood work. As the college course is furniture making, a lot of my previously learnt skills cross over. However, it has taught me to become slightly more precise in my work as the tolerances are smaller.

My feelings on enjoyment within my work place are mixed. I really enjoy my college course, it is very hands on, learning different techniques with different tools and equipment and types of timber. Not only practical, but there is some theory that you learn about the growth patterns and different properties of different types of timber. In the work place, I don't enjoy as much, it is very repetitive and based on a factory format.

I began my apprenticeship programme during the end of a worldwide pandemic, so things were slightly out of the ordinary. The structure and organization was poor. I had to chase answers and results before even finding out whether I had secured the job. All communication began really non-existent, we were sort of left in the dark, however after new control has been taken of the apprenticeship it has began to improve.

Similar to the the structure and organization - in the beginning, I received 0 support from my workplace providers, I wasn't aware of who my managers were, how my area was ran, who I was supposed to talk to about concerns or any general queries. College however was good, I could contact either one of my two tutors and any time and have a quick response.

Dis-similar to my workplace, my training provider (chichester college) have been great, either one of my two tutors, even the second year tutors are happy to help with anything during college, outside of college hours via text, about college, or general life. They are supportive in anyway that they can be.

My college course/ qualification that I am working towards, regardless of the fact that I enjoy it, has absolutely no relevance to my work based roll. I guess if I was looking for some relevance, the regular use of hands would improve consistency in the work place. And potentially getting used to the use of veneers.

There are some extra-curricular activities that I'm aware of, some of the lads organize a football evening on a Friday. This is held at the astro turf facilities at chichester college. A day of an activity is being organised for the first year apprenticeships, this will be held on a saturday and a vote will be held to decide what activity we do. This is just to encourage us to become more social with each other.

No

I've ticked the "no" box as I feel like the apprenticeship as a whole is not as described in the adverts, in the work place specifically that is. For example, mine in the interior surface center was essentially described as a woodworking workshop, implied that we would be part taking in bespoke one off projects and be with the top "craftsman"... its just a glamourized factory with a process that anyone off the street could follow.

Expect a long application process with lots of testing and interviews. Be prepared for these with lots of research on the history of the company and also current news about the company and the motor industry in general. Be enthusiastic and interested, polite and ready to learn. Don't come into it expecting a lot and don't be fooled by the marketing and thing around "Rolls Royce", respect the company for what they are, but don't be intimidated or scared.