Materials Laboratories Degree Apprentice Review

My role is to perform semi-supervised objectives/projects over a 4-6 month period for different teams within Rolls-Royce. Day to day activities are completing material preparation for examination, examination of samples, understanding team roles and their importance and completing written work/following processes so I can work effectively in teams.

I have learnt lots about processes and why we need to follow them. Developing my understanding on how the regulations and standards around the work I do has been very important and has helped me understand how to deliver good quality work. I have also learnt to be more confident with raising issues and I have learnt how to organise and track my work so that I don't miss my delivery targets. I have developed this a lot and Rolls-Royce have given me great support to help me cope with working with ASD.

The materials based learning has been very enjoyable. Starting from knowing nothing about the programme and the work Rolls-Royce do, the learning at work has been delivered well. Each of the teams that I have been in have been a part of have been very welcoming and understanding that I cannot deliver the amount of work as regular employees which has made the projects they have given interesting pieces of work. The theory based and university learning has been ok, albeit more stressful as I understand the importance of the learning. The social benefits of being able to interact with other apprentices during university days has definitely helped to relax that environment and make it something I look forward to.

The progression and placements have been planned out and have a good structure to them. The structure is also made clear at the start of the programme so there is a smooth transition between induction/basic training and the placements. The one day a week of university in the second year and above works during placements, however, the structure in the first year of one week at university followed by a week at work in a placement is too disruptive to work and being able to carry work between weeks.

We receive a lot of support from our placement managers (and project managers) as well as our Apprentice Development Leader (ADL). Older apprentices are able to give lots of useful advice and are very welcoming and approachable. We have access to mental health champions and the Employee Assistance Program. We can also gain help through Occupational Health.

The support has been mixed with some lecturers being great at providing resources and being understanding about changes in circumstance and others having received feedback without much/any change with the need to escalate issues. All lecturers are approachable to ask for help which helps to make support feel open and honest.

The materials based learning has helped a lot as my placements are based on the materials knowledge that I need to learn through my apprenticeship. It is easy to use this training as support as I enjoy materials learning. The harder topics (such as maths) and topics like simulations and computer based learning I haven't been able to use yet as a lot of my roles cover practical work and writing work.

There are social activities. A lunchtime session that has been called Nosh and Natter has been set up where people give a presentation/discussion about something that they are passionate about to help with getting to know the people within Rolls-Royce. There are the occasional professional networking events. There are ways to get involved with sports however I do not know of sports teams (I have not looked into it).

Yes

Due to the size of the organisation there are many different careers that can be taken in a single field. The people that you work with are usually like-minded so it is easy to find a place in a team and working on projects that you enjoy. Rolls-Royce also have a very wide range of support options that they provide if you need the help/accommodations made to your work environment/the way you are managed/how your projects are broken down.

Express yourself and who you are as an individual. Knowledge barriers are not as big of an issue as it can be perceived (I applied for the materials course knowing nothing). Be open with your managers about accommodations you need to work effectively and they will be more than willing to help to sort those out.