Industrial sewing apprentice Review

I am having different placements around the leather shop (getting to know the different leathers, hidemarking, cutting, sewing prep, front and back seat build). After these are done, I will be getting a sewing training for the rest of the apprenticeship so I am ready to sew for the company.

Yes, I did learn how to hidemark, work on skiving machines, upholster ,cushions, squabs, headrests. The most important one is that I know now how to use domestic and industrial sewing machines. Other skills are how to work with different people within the workspace, developed further my creative problem solving.

I do enjoy my apprenticeship. However, if the communication is better between college and Rolls-Royce then we, the apprentices, would know what is happening when. Also, it would be helpful to have someone what has teaching background in college. At the factory - it would be better if we get placements elsewhere, not only in leather shop.

I do not think it is very well organised. The first four months we were in college even though we were told that we will be in the factory and we will be only 1-2 days at college. Nobody seemed to know what was going on with us, the sewing apprentices.

I believe I do receive support when I ask people for any support. I can organise a meeting with either my trainer, Katy or my manager and they will be there to listen if I have any troubles and suggest any solutions. Not only them but also from PSs, PLs, and managers.

Chichester College is helpful in some ways and very unhelpful in other. For our apprenticeship our teacher has a lot of knowledge which she tries to give to us. However, they were very unorganised and unhelpful when I kept asking for my student card so I can get a discount on the bus. I lot a lot of money because of that and nobody will give them to me because the college staff were lazy.

I would say it is helpful for domestic use since we work with different fabrics, at work we work with leather. It will be very helpful in the future when we start making fabric seats but until then, it is only for domestic use. It does teach us on work ethic which is helpful for work.

Yes. I did do a school event for careers. I have met people from different departments and they have given me tours in their departments and explained to me their job roles. I have participated in two CIP ideas already, one was for organising drawers, and the other one was for a cost saving idea.

Yes

There are a lot of opportunities. So many departments and levels of work, there is something for everyone. You can have placements in pretty much any department you want as long as you prove yourself to the managers. Not only within the company but also in different countries that have plants there.

Be persistent, honest, and have good work ethic. You have to be curious so you can gain lots of knowledge for different departments. Always try to think of ways to improve yourself and improve the workspace. Networking is one of the big keys in a big company like Rolls-Royce. Different people might be able to give you different opportunities.