Apprentice Engineer Review

As a first year apprentice, I spend 5 days a week training in college. This is to gain the engineering knowledge needed before starting work in the airport environment. In the college term holidays, we spend time shadowing full time technicians, carrying out day-to-day activities to keep the airport running.

Yes, I have learnt and developed many skills whilst working for Gatwick Airport. I have gained knowledge in electrical and electronic engineering, understanding how to install electrical equipment. I have also learnt varying methods of welding, a skill I had no experience in prior to starting with Gatwick. Finally, I have also been able to develop previously learnt hand fitting and mechanical experience using hand tools or workshop machinery.

I love my programme. The course I am learning is very interesting and has been a massive gain on my knowledge and skills. Additionally, my time at the airport is great, I am learning how to apply my knowledge in the workplace. My colleagues are brilliant too. Everyone I have met has been lovely and communication is good between us.

The programme was very well organised. We knew where to go and when, communicating was easy and if we had any questions, they were answered very quickly. The training provider is okay, we knew what work we had to do and how the course would be carried out, but some pieces of information did not get through to us.

We get an excellent amount of support from our employer, Our boss visits us at college frequently and Gatwick has assigned us an NVQ assessor as well. We can contact our boss or NVQ assessor if we need any help or have any concerns and the help provided is always supportive and prompt.

Our training provider gives us a great amount of support. All our lecturers are good and very knowledgeable, plus they are very easy to contact if we need any help. We also have an assigned tutor on the administrative side of the college.

As we are in the first year of our apprenticeship, we have limited experience working at the airport. But from our time at the airport, the knowledge gained in training has been super helpful.

There are many opportunities to speak to schools and similar communities to encourage engineering and STEM activities. Plus, all the apprentices go on a trip every year for a week. This is for team building and getting to know each other.

Yes

It is a brilliant opportunity for anyone who wants a career in engineering as we can develop and use our skill in a work environment. Gatwick offers lots of opportunities after completion of the apprenticeship with lots of different areas to progress to. Plus, the apprentice retention rate at Gatwick is huge.

Having a passion for engineering is a key factor in applying for the apprenticeship. A desire to learn and develop skills is vital. Finally, being able to work with colleagues is a brilliant skill to have when working at the airport as you are constantly working in a team.