Engineering Degree Apprentice Review

For the first year of the engineering degree apprenticeship I have studied mechanical engineering with electronics at Derby university on block release, so my schedule changes weekly. Block release means I completed 1 week of university followed by 1 week at work on my apprenticeship. During the work weeks, I have been trained in the LDC (Rolls-Royce Learning and Development Centre) on various skills and manufacturing methods. This training aims to give first year apprentices an appreciation of engineering within the company as well as manufacturing possibilities. I have been attending meetings and there are lots of opportunities to get involved with activities that build your profile and personal development even within the first year.

So far I have been trained on turning, milling, assembly, domestic electrical, electronics, BIT (Business Improvement Techniques) and have welding, CNC milling/ turning and a comprehensive engineering drawing course to go. All this training takes place in the LDC. I have been attending meetings and there are lots of opportunities to get involved with activities that build your profile and personal development even within the first year.

I do really enjoy my program so far. The engineering degree apprenticeship is very workload heavy but it brings many rewards with it. I am looking forward to my summer placement and future placements in 2nd, 3rd and 4th year. However I would have enjoyed more exposure to the business or a glimpse of what is to come sooner in the apprenticeship.

The apprenticeship is quite well organised and there is a "loading plan" spreadsheet which details where and what training each apprentice is on each week. Derby university organise our university timetable in advance of new modules and is available/ accessible to each apprentice student via the main university portal. However, there has been some communication issues with the university which has made the apprenticeship more difficult.

There is always support available if needed and my employer will look after me should I need the support or help. My ADL is very supportive and ensures I am performing well at work and university by arranging regular meetings between her and university every 6 weeks. She is quick to respond and resolve to any issues I have.

I don't receive any extra training, support or help from the university other than the standard course content that is set out. This is a great shame and I wish there was more of an induction to the university as there is an induction week to work but the first week of university is straight into lectures. I feel disconnected from the university life in this sense and feels more like we just go there for training and then leave again rather than a student study experience.

I have been attending meetings and there are lots of opportunities to get involved with activities that build your profile and personal development even within the first year. I have attained some high profile conferences which has given me an insight into the company and challenged me to develop my communication and helped my personal development.

Due to Covid 19 clubs and social activities are just starting to take off again and I have heard about exciting opportunities in the future so I am looking forward to that. However currently the work lacks this kind of extra-curricular activity. More information for the university on the facilities available would be helpful too.

Yes

Rolls-Royce provides fantastic opportunities to study and develop as a person whilst working which allows for a unique blend of academic study and work which suits me. This allows me to gain industry experience whilst training and saves the cost of going to university. The degree apprenticeship is developing me as a person too and adding to my skillset constantly.

Practise and preparation is essential for the application process and no applicant could be more prepared for the assessment day. Rolls-Royce is a fantastic company to work for and offers great opportunities in the future as well as job security in certain sectors. Research into the company is very important to those applying!