Quality Assurance Engineer Review

My role overall involves assuring the quality within the business including processes and supporting others to embed quality. On a daily basis I support a senior QAE to make improvements and undertake projects using quality techniques. I am currently undertaking an independent improvement project within my current role. As an apprentice I have also been undertaking placements to gain an understanding of quality within all business areas.

I have learnt many skills throughout my apprenticeship. The main things I have learnt are around quality improvement techniques and not only have I learnt the knowledge but I have been able to embed these into my practice. I have managed to learn the quality role in auditing, reviewing documentation and what I would be looking for as well as how to implement improvement and gain buy in from stakeholders.

I am really enjoying my programme. I enjoy the work I am doing and all of the people I am working with are extremely supportive of my learning and very helpful in getting the full potential out of my learning and placements. I have learnt so much and I am now being able to embed this into my work which I am really enjoying. The apprenticeship programme itself has been challenging because of the training provider. The learning has all been online and communication and support has been limited at times when needed. I have still learnt a lot with the support of my colleagues/management and I have no end to the support provided by members of staff at Babcock. They have all been amazing.

The structure of the programme has been great. Placements organised by Babcock has been really useful and supportive and I have gained so much knowledge from being able to work within different areas of the business and understand every area, which has led to my knowledge of the business overall and what I want to do in the future. The organisation and structure of the course itself by the training provider wasn't clear at first and the learning sessions are random with no specific day for learning. Sometimes there would be 3 sessions a week , sometimes none and sometimes only 2 hours in a week. The times of the sessions were not helpful to my family arrangements either.

The support from my employer is endless. I have excellent support, not only from my direct line management but also from all employees within each of the placements I have been on. I have also been told by each team of employees from each placement that they would be happy to help me whenever they can. I also have a mentor for my apprenticeship who is an extremely experienced member of staff who has provided continued support throughout the whole apprenticeship and who I think will also help me in my future at Babcock.

I do receive support, but on occasion, the length of time it takes for me to receive support is not ideal. It has led to me losing motivation on occasions where I haven't had the answer to a question that I need in order for me to move on with my work and progress. I also have found that there is very little communication available from the training provider. I only have an email address and I am not able to have any quick access to ask a quick question such as a phone number or anything which I think I would have really benefitted from. I have learnt a lot though and when I have managed to get time with my tutor it has been useful.

I do think that the qualification has taught me a lot. I have been able to learn different topics and then take them back to my working role and implement some of the things I have learnt which has helped me to understand more effectively and be better in my job role. I was unaware of a lot of things before I undertook this course and so it has been extremely useful.

There are many extra curricular activities to get involved in. There are around 8/9 networks which anyone can join from 'womens network' to 'pride' or 'young professionals network' we also have STEM, health and wellbeing, neurodiversity and more. Babcock also takes part in other things such as awards, beach cleans and encourages apprentices to be involved in early career days, marketing and recently an apprentice from Babcock was on the radio.

Yes

I would recommend Babcock because of the vast amount of opportunities and experiences you get here. Not only are Babcock supportive of the apprenticeship scheme and the employees supportive but there are lots to get involved with and interesting things to learn. Although I am an apprentice I have 2 children and Babcock have been extremely supportive of my situation, allowing me to work flexibly and support my family as well as my work.

The advice I would give would be to research Babcock and what they do first so that you understand the role you are applying for. I would also say to be honest about your home life or situation as Babcock are supportive of this. I have found that because I really want to do well, it has provided me with many opportunities which I didn't expect and so make sure to put your all into it. I wasn't guaranteed a job at the end of my apprenticeship but I have been inundated with offers and support for future work because of my positive attitude and even when I have found things hard, I have been honest and asked questions which I feel has really helped.