Technical Apprentice Review

My role within Cummins all depends on what department you are placed into. Me being in Blockline Manufacturing engineering allows me to spend lots of time around the machining process of the engine blocks. On a day to day basis my role is to keep the manufacturing line running from a process point of view, this mainly involves tooling and programs that the CNC machines use. We trial new experimental tooling to machine the blocks on a daily basis, we check how the tooling behaves and the finish it leaves on the block. Making sure the line is running involves a lot of different jobs every day, for example we measure and calculate CNC head offsets, fixture set ups, any crashes, probing faults, any rework that is required on a block. The role in any department allows you to experience new, interesting experiences every day.

During my apprenticeship I have learnt so much and developed many existing skills. one skill that I took a liking to and developed over time is creating CAD models and engineering drawings. I have done this just by self teaching myself and working on it for tasks and projects I have accumulated over the course of my 4 years in the apprentice scheme. every new day i am learning something new in any department.

I really enjoy the apprenticeship program I am on. The program set for my and the other apprentices allow you to experience a number of different departments and find where your interests are and what you would like to develop on in the future. The apprenticeship program allows you to attend college and get your qualifications in the area of your interest and will push you to achieve as much as possible

The structure has been constantly developing over the years introducing new departments, creating new roles as mentors and apprentices of the year. Each apprentice is well managed and supported and given many opportunities in each department. There can be some changes to the structure throughout the year but will always priorities us as the apprentices.

Cummins has provided me with a lot of support throughout my apprenticeship. They have supported me though challenging times and provided as much help as possible. they have allowed me to re sit college causes that I didn't manage to achieve through these challenging times and there is always someone to talk to about any issue.

My support I have received throughout my training has been excellent and allowed me to develop my learning and apply that to my work. We have regular meetings with our mentors and reviews with our work based learning manager where we go over any problems and figure out what can be done to help and support this.

My current learning and qualifications have been very useful within my role as it allows me to apply what I have learned in college to my work and projects I come across. for example calculating speeds and feeds for machining, writing programs for CNC machines. In other departments there are loads of other subjects and skills learned in college that I have used in the workplace to achieve a better understanding and quality of projects.

There are a few extra curricular activities to get involved in at Cummins. There are weekly football games arranged for anyone to take part in.

Yes

It is a great place to start your career and develop your interests within engineering while giving you an experience in all types of departments within the company. The support offered and opportunities given are far beyond what is expected and you are well looked after in my experience.

Be noticeable and different. They are looking for someone to go about a task in a different way and show you can come up with ideas.