Mechatronics Engineering Apprentice Review

I am a first year apprentice, in our first year we spend 5 days a week at college in the workshops improving our practical skills whilst being taught the theory behind engineering principles such as general maintenance, hydraulics and pneumatics, PLC's and three phase, Welding, milling and turning as well as hand fitting. In our half terms we have the opportunity to go into Gatwick Airport to experience first hand what we will be working on and maintaining in teams with skilled engineers for our future in the apprenticeship at the airport, as well as hopefully after.

Since I have started I have developed both my knowledge and practical skills. I had previous maintenance experience before the apprenticeships however I have been able to improve those skills due to the frequent tasks we are given at the college and at the airport. I have also learnt electrical skills I had no experience previously due to the electrical installation class t college as well the introduction to the technical and electrical systems at the airport.

I enjoy every aspect of the programme, I have enjoyed improving my skills and developing new ones at the airport, likewise I have enjoyed learning new ones. I have also enjoyed the atmosphere and support given to me during this apprenticeship. I feel as though I am cared after and my needs will be met rather than just being an employee who can just benefit the business. I really enjoy all of the systems at the airport as well.

My programme is very well organised and structured, we have set plans and criteria given to use before we even start the job. I know what it is I need to do to succeed, all of my future routes in my career during this apprenticeship as well as what it is I will be doing in each year of the apprenticeship. The communication in this programme is far beyond what I ever would have expected.

Any problems I face will instantly be tackled by my employer, Any needs or support is a given. If there is any extra time we need for studying our employer will give it to us, if there are any struggles we face our employer will be there to help us, if we going through anything troubling then our employer will be there to encourage and support us. I feel as though in this job that my employer wants the best for me and all of the other apprentices and truly has our best interest always. If we need any extra uniform or college equipment then this is given to us without any problems whatsoever.

We receive a lot of support, there are frequent reviews and there is a system we used called eTrackr which gives us any targets we have and the teachers will update these as soon as we have reached the targets. They also have another system called Ezone which holds all of our class notes and other supporting notes which is a great help for future projects and assignments.

Our qualification helps us greatly in this role as it provides us with basic skills and understandings of a wide range of areas within engineering. This is particularly helpful as there is maintenance, electronics, pneumatics, hydraulics, welding, there are many practical and theoretical subjects that we cover that help us in the future as we will need these skills at the airport due to the diverse systems at the airport.

The apprentices keep good social connections outside of work with many apprentices attending activities together after working hours. Not only this but we get the opportunity to go on an outward bound trip with all of the apprentices in August where we will participate in outdoor activities such as hiking and water sports where there will be a lot of team work. There are also STEM events which many apprentices do together where they can go to schools and present the world of engineering to future working generations and show the fun and interesting side of it with interactive activities.

Yes

I wold definitely recommend Gatwick Airport as the apprenticeships pushes you to reach your full potential in engineering and largely improves your skills there. There is constant support to support your needs and there is clear criteria on what you will and can achieve The airport is constantly busy and no two days are the same at the airport. There are so many different aspects of engineering you will be working on form baggage systems to runway lighting and it's all very exciting and fun to work on. The Engineers at Gatwick will include you in any projects you feel comfortable helping in and working with them complete projects is very rewarding. Everyday is exciting and you will massively succeed at Gatwick if you have a passion for Engineering.

If you are interested in engineering then this is a perfect apprenticeship! just remember that there is a heavy amount of college work (mostly in the first year) however working hard at this helps you to enjoy all of the challenges the engineering teams at Gatwick in the future by getting hands on and helping them tackle those challenges too. Work hard and get involved in everything at College and the Airport and Enjoy!