Steelworker Review

Interpreting engineering drawings. Marking off materials. Plate perpetration, using different methods (Oxy – fuel gas cutting and Hand Grinding), pressure testing, drilling and lock fitting. Assembling of ships structures, shell, decks, bulkheads, frames, longitudinal. Fit, fair and tack weld steelwork using fairing aids. Fabrication of ship items - seats, ladders, false flooring and panels. Outfitting Ships items, fitting of hatches, watertight doors, equipment seats and false flooring. Forming material using machine tools. Flanging. Cutting Machines (guillotine, cropper mechanical saw). Preparing ship for float-off and ship sea trials.

A multitude of new skills have been learned during my apprenticeship so far. These vary from learning correct procedures for health and safety protocols whilst on and off site. Skills such as welding techniques and processes used for various materials and how to correctly tack weld. I have learned how to follow detailed drawings and assemble items correctly too.

I love my programme. Not having prior experience gave me a clean slate to enter an environment I knew nothing about and learn as an older apprentice in a shipbuilding industry. Being shown all the various areas I could work and different jobs to be done is motivating because I can learn each stage of the build.

The organisation level has varied but I believe this is due to the vast number of people that have been brought in and some areas have had miscommunication or lack of communication compared to others. The structure itself has been great and well laid out for each year of the apprenticeship. Targets have also been spoken about for further insight into the business.

Support has been at the forefront of the company and I have always been informed of further aid or help I can get through various avenues. The employer is also very understanding of personal circumstances and can’t do enough to help out with situations or advise who I can see to further help me, whether that be financially, additional support, family needs. They have been great.

The college have also been very supportive and helped me at each stage of my development so I can achieve a high level of knowledge along with a high quality of fabrication work. My lecturers are also supportive for creating a friendly environment and keep me engaged with all of the learning, if there was anything I was unsure of, they would guide me until I understood what was being taught.

The provider has vastly helped me perform better because, again, if there was any uncertainty with information I did not understand, they would help guide me through the information until I was comfortable with a task I was going to complete. They also provided me with the knowledge of theory behind the work and how the theory ties in with a ship building industry.

There have been some events that BAE informed me of, such as attending site tours or historical days to gain further knowledge of the industry. I have not yet seen a network event, but I do know they have open days for recruitment and they put on displays for each department with insight into various job roles. But being an apprentice, I have not been involved in these types of events.

Yes

BAE offer substantially more benefits than other companies that I have personally worked for. They are inclusive and diverse with a broad spectrum of employees. Everyone has a voice and can easily approach staff for help. They also have a safe working environment and are currently leading the way. They also offer support, healthcare and a share scheme.

Be yourself would be the underlaying statement. BAE wants personality and to truly understand who you are as an individual, what your successes are and what you want to achieve long term. They also want people to understand their goal for a zero emissions environment and how employees can help them achieve their goal.