Apprentice Engineer Review

Currently I am in college full time doing a course in Mechatronics which is a mixture of a level 2 and 3 BTEC. During half terms and I am located at Gatwick and receiving some hands on training and an insight into how the airport works. My day-to-day consists of going to college, working on my assignments and any other college work, as well as visiting the airport during half terms to get an insight into how the different departments run.

I am currently learning many new skills at East Surrey College. They range from welding, pneumatics and hydraulics, electrical principles, math, and health and safety. I am also learning a lot about the skills needed to work at an airport during the half term periods. During my time on the course I have really been able to improve on my welding ability which I already had some previous background on, as well as learning new skills such as terminating wires in electrical components.

I am really enjoying the apprenticeship programme so far. It exposes you to a diverse range of engineering, both at college and the airport. The level of support is really key in helping to keep everything manageable. There is a lot to take in, but there is plenty of help given when needed.

I feel like the programme is well organised. We have a set schedule for the week at college so it is easy to know where you should be. Our assignments are explained and handed to us with completion dates noted on them, and support for time management is offered by the college tutors. At the airport it is also well planned. We are spoken to far in advance about which section we will be working with and it is all organised efficiently.

As a 25 year old coming into this apprenticeship I have had quite a few previous jobs. This one has been the best so far in regards to managerial support. Working with Gatwick has been great so far, and part of that is due to the amount of help, guidance, and support which is offered. So far, if I have had any concerns or queries my boss has been quick to discuss them with me and help find a resolve.

So far during my course I have received plenty of support from tutors at the college. When a problem may arise with an assignment they have been quick to teach me correct methods of carrying out a task, or even giving me direction to the correct materials needed to carry out a theory assignment. They have been very good to ensure I am okay and getting on well with the work given to me.

I believe the qualification I am currently working towards is helping me to gain a very good level of base knowledge which will come in very useful for my role as an engineer at Gatwick. There are so many interesting and sometimes quite complex things which you will need to understand at the airport, but the work I am currently doing at college is giving me a good foundation to work from and it is already clear as my understanding whilst at Gatwick is constantly improving.

As a first year apprentice I am currently unaware of all the extra curricular actives which there are. However as an apprentice I do know that once a year everyone on the apprenticeship programme go on a trip with Outward Bound to work on our team building exercises whilst also getting to know the apprentices better in the other years. Due to the fact the first year is predominantly college based, there isn't a lot of integration with the fully qualified engineers at Gatwick. That being said, the other apprentices all seem to keep in touch outside of work which is really good for solid work relationships.

Yes

So far the Gatwick apprenticeship programme has expanded my skills, helped me network, and become a more confident individual. From starting this programme, I will finish the four years with a minimum of NVQ qualification, on job experience, and a foothold into the engineering industry. To top it off, this apprenticeship programme has a very competitive pay structure which is really important for someone like myself in my mid twenties wanting a career change.

You can never be too organised. When juggling work, college, and personal life, it is so important you are organised and set yourself some form of schedule. It is very easy to let college work build up, but if you stay on top of it, and keep proactive, it's incredibly manageable. Everyone I have met so far at Gatwick are extremely friendly and helpful, and the best part is, the majority of them were apprentices themselves, even those higher up in management. I think that's something very important to remember, there is a lot of room to grow within this apprenticeship.