Electrical Fitter Apprentice Review

Currently, where I am based in the Skills Development Centre (SDC), I am learning the skills and knowledge and also gaining the required experience needed to be able to go out in the Naval Base and work as an Electrical Fitter. This could mean that I am in classrooms, learning the knowledge and theory behind my future work and company, or I am in the workshop improving my practical knowledge and skill.

I have learned and developed a vast majority of new and existing skills. One of the skills I have developed is resilience, whilst being in the Skills Development Centre. This is because not all the time is something new easy to understand and therefore I have to persevere through to be able to continue through the apprenticeship.

I thoroughly enjoy my programme and am extremely grateful that I was one of the lucky apprentices in my intake to be picked to become a part of the company. The staff and other colleagues have been incredibly welcoming and are always happy to help anyone who is in need.

I believe that my programme is incredibly structured. We have been shown the curriculum and timeline in which we have to follow at a specific pace so that we will be ready to go out into the business when the time comes. This means that we have a set time to be able to complete a course as we have another course which is meant to go ahead and start straight after it.

My employer supports me through a lot of ways. They have given us mental health numbers so that we can reach out to them if we are in need of help mentally, but that did not stop them from telling us that, if we would rather talk to them, they are more than happy to listen and that we are more than welcome to talk to them.

They are always there to help us get ready and whilst we are practicing for any assessments. Although they cannot help us during the assessment, they are there beforehand to answer any and all questions that we might have to ask them so that we have a better understanding and are more comfortable going into the assessment.

Once I know what I am doing, by asking my training provider, along with additional questions if I do not completely understand, I can then help my colleagues as well, just like they help me. This then means that I am meeting my qualifications and doing a better performance of my role than previous.

During November 2022, I went to the Lake District to meet with the Outward Bounds crew for a week where they pushed us to our limits by climbing up mountains, long hikes, canoeing, swimming in the cold lake and many other activities. They helped me improve my communication and resilience with my work team.

Yes

They are a great company that are there for every employee in the business in more ways than one. The longer you stay in the business, the closer you become with the workers around you and then the staff you work with feel more and more like a second family, a home away from home, to you.

They get lots of applicants each year and every single one of them are nervous when getting interviewed, but the employers are just regular people and they are not there to frighten you. Every applicant has a chance to get the job, none more than others. Just be friendly and talkative and they will take a liking to you.