Engineering Degree Apprentice Review

As an engineering degree apprentice, my day can vary from attending university, completing basic engineering principles or carrying out work on a placement. As a first year apprentice, I mainly attend either university or engineering training on a block release schedule. Engineering training covers skills such as welding, turning, milling and electrical etc.

I have developed a range of skills. For example, university has massively improved my academic writing skills whilst work has improved practical skills such as welding, soldering, milling etc. Skills, knowledges and behaviours surrounding topics such as health and safety, British values and high performance culture. Mathematical and scientific skills have also been improved both at work and university.

I thoroughly enjoy my programme although it can be difficult to balance work, university and my social life. Both university and work require additional assignments and tasks to be completed at home. This means that the apprenticeship can be very tiring. Having friends at work, makes the apprenticeship more fun and tolerable.

The programme is mostly well organised however there are sometimes some communicational issues between work and university. This can cause many miscommunications to arise causing unnecessary issues to form regarding timetabling and schedules. Timetables and schedules change on a regular basis and this can often be confusing. The programme itself is well structured regarding the work load across the 4 years.

My employer provides numerous support systems. There are specialist in place depending on the issue that may arise. For example, there are health and safety and ethics specialists. There are also safeguarding leaders who provide support regarding safeguarding concerns. ADLs (Apprentice Development Leaders) also offer support and advice regarding any issues with the apprentice.

The training provider offers regular student feedback meetings in order to receive feedback from the students directly. However, these sessions are often organised when apprentices are scheduled for work. This means that most student cannot attend the majority of these sessions and feedback therefore has to be via email instead of the desired in person meeting.

Through completing my required qualification, it has enhanced and improved numerous skills such as IT, Maths and Literacy. I am learning the use of new software (such as Multisim and NX) and writing formats (informal and formal or scientific reports). Maths skills have improved through module calculations and lab sessions.

As I am still settling into the company and full time employment, I have not yet enquired about any extra curricular activities. The workload is current very high and schedules are also tight for the completion of documentation, which means a lot of free time is currently used completing this.

Yes

The degree is fully paid for as a part of the degree apprenticeship which makes university more accessible for those who may not have had the ability to consider it. Full time employment also allows for a great development of skills both interpersonal skills whilst still being guided by individuals that have many years of industry experience.

Do not be complacent with any of your efforts in the work you produce and the performance you give. Always be willing to learn and to improve on what you already know, there is always room for improvement. Take on board any advice that individuals who have more industry experience than yourself.