Engineering Apprentice Review

Overhauling of components to replace the parts that wear over time. This includes replacing seals, bearings, air fittings. Most of this is done in the workshop but sometimes it is completed out on the production line. I assist with the engineers by helping them with bigger tasks. Depending on the engineer I am working with depends on how much responsibility they give me.

Initially over the first few months I learned quite a lot of additional knowledge and developed new skills. As time has gone on, progress has plateaued and the amount of new learning has been minimal. Some aspects of making small components has helped with developing existing skills. I am encouraged to ask questions but when it is repetitive tasks that are carried out, there are not as many questions to ask.

Initially I really enjoyed the learning experience and it took me a while to take in all the new information. Over time, the managers have prevented me from making as much progress and it has been frustrating. When you are not learning new stuff it gets really boring. Now, I am not enjoying the apprenticeship and considering leaving the programme.

The original plan seemed well thought out when I first started and there looked to be a steady progression of skill development and knowledge gain. It is now apparent that the jobs I am given are only to help out those who need an extra pair of hands. No consideration is given to the criteria we have to meet to pass the qualification.

Very little. I have on numerous occasions asked for specific jobs, or to work with particular individuals so that I can tick off the outcomes that meet the course criteria, but it largely goes ignored. I have asked for specific training on several occasions and been told that I do not need to do it. The employer refused to support me when the training college were willing to give me additional support to complete a unit.

Mixed. When I pushed to get a unit completed that had not been completed during my time at college, the college were willing to have me back and work with a tutor to get it done, but the input while I am at work is minimal (perhaps 3 occasions of communication from the college per year). If you are not at the college, the tutors do not seem to care. The feedback on submitted work is minimal and if you do get feedback, it is unhelpful.

Some of the practical skills taught at college give us the opportunity to understand the equipment at a basic level, but the safe set up and shut down of equipment allows to to use the equipment safely when we are at work and provides us with enough knowledge to be able to transfer the knowledge to our equipment on site.

If there are any, I do not know about them. There are sometimes fundraising events but they tend to be contributions as individuals rather than groups. From what I can gather, very little social interaction happens outside of work. There are volunteering opportunities available, but there is not really much follow up with it, so it is our responsibility to organise what and when they do it.

No

I would not recommend Nestle. Morale is low. The expectations are continually changing and there is insufficient time to meet the demands. There is an ethos at my site that apprentices are seen as an inconvenience, there is no guarantee of a job at the end of it (despite their claims otherwise), the training programme does not prepare you to be able to do the job at the end of it. This is not just my site, but talking to apprentices doing the same apprenticeship at some other sites, their experiences are similar.

If you intend to apply, make sure that on your application form you include some examples of how you have managed to solve or overcome a problem. Do not believe the website that they say they recruit people at any time of the year and applications are filled as soon as a candidate has been found. The apprentices are interviewed around March time for the following September.