Signals and Telecoms Apprentice Review

i shadow a team within the discipline i have chosen and take part in and watch what they do to gain an understanding of the job that i will be doing when i have finished my apprenticeship.

Yes, i have learn all about railway signalling and have learnt a great deal about electronics. I have been on several compulsory courses during my apprenticeship to do with the railway and also a few concerning leadership skills and how to be a team player.

I enjoy it alot, you get to meet loads of new people especially in the first year where you have a university like experience sharing dorms with others and spending 9 months away from home.

Probably 50/50 depending on the day, sometimes you don't get used to your full potential and its hard to feel motivated but sometimes you are really taken into the team and are, made to feel like one of the team.

parts are organised well, for example the first year when you are staying at HMS Collingwood and working at HMS Sultan its very well organised and works like clockwork but between the people down on HMS Sultan and the people in your depot there is a large misunderstanding of what the apprentices should be doing and what work needs to be done so the 2nd and 3rd years when you are working at your deopt tend to get very unorganised and you don't know whether your coming or going sometimes.

From the team down in HMS Sultan you tend to get a lot of support as they know what your doing and the deadlines which you have to face but in the deopt there is a disconnect and because they aren't aware of all the work you have to do you end up always having to fully explain yourself and pushing to get what you need.

Fairly little, the company in general is disorganised and forget that you are art of the company and this comes across from managers.

Not very well. In the first your your travel, accommodation and food are paid for by the company so the £600-£700 you are getting each month is good as you don't have any outgoings, in the 2nd and 3rd year you are expected to provide your food accommodation and pay for most of your travel into work and do the same work that people being paid twice and three times what your being paid are doing. on top of that you also have to do assignments.

Not a lot which you are able to do due to shift work and being in work most of the time though you can take annual leave as an apprentice when you want as you are not a major asset and don't need to be replaced.

No

Very unorganised and throughout the 3 years you don't end up with a whole lot of free time and money to help you outside of work.

You must be able to speak up and make sure your voice is heard as there are a lot of people who all want something and you won't be handed everything to you on a plate, you will have to work for the information you require.