Assembly Apprentice Review

Currently I am supporting the assembly planning department at Rolls-Royce. This involves supporting planners and production specialist with their daily job requirements, including developing and creating process documentation for new/improved processes and/or machinery. I also get the opportunity to learn how to use new equipment and prepare it for use on the assembly line.

I have learned many new skills whilst supporting assembly planning. I have learned what the job role entails and what it requires from a lean manufacturing perspective, involving the reduction of non value-add processes or waste. I have learned how to use relevant computer applications to support with my work in the department, as well as how to write and improve process documentation. I have learned how to liaise with different departments and how to lead meetings about topics I am running/supporting with.

I enjoy the programme as it offers a hands-on and realistic experience as to the workload that is carried out in the department and by certain job roles. There are always a variety of tasks to complete and I gain meaningful insight into lots of other areas within the business through my interactions through the assembly planning department.

The working side is fairly well organised. A mentor is arranged for you within the department you will be supporting and they will be able to train and support you through your placement, answering any questions and giving good insight into their daily responsibilities. The college programme needs to be reconsidered. Completing a full time course (L5 HND) in one year alongside working has been very challenging. It is difficult to balance priorities across work and college.

There is always plenty of support from Rolls-Royce and any mentors who are assigned to us. The working environment and core values also means that reaching out for support is not stigmatised, only supported. When struggling with personal problems and/or time availability for college deadlines, I have always been supported and cared for to ensure that I have the time to deal with things, and the people around me to reach out to.

There is adequate support from Chichester College in terms of the content delivery, but I feel as though the college timetabling and organisation have been very poor this year. The college failed to source a teacher for one of the units and as a result it started 5 weeks late, but no provisions or extensions were offered for this. Far too many of the assignments and work in general is bunched together and it is difficult to keep on top of deadlines alongside work. Not much consideration is offered by the college as to our responsibilities at work or between the college units.

The L5 HND is a vast improvement on the L4 HNC in terms of the units we cover and the relevance they have to our work. Covering units such as sustainability, lean manufacturing, and virtual engineering all relate well to the types of activities and work that is carried out at Rolls-Royce. I do feel as though some of the units have been irrelevant though - research project does not teach us anything extra to what we cover in other units, and embedded systems bears no relevance to mechanical engineering, or any of the roles that are performed at work.

There are a few extra-curricular activities available at work. I know that there is a department football team that meet regularly. There are also several apprentice social events organised throughout the year, usually involving a meal out and/or bowling in Chichester or Portsmouth. Assembly planning also organise meals out at Christmas time or special events when people leave the business, e.g. a meal when the interns leave each year.

Yes

I think this apprenticeship has given me skills that I would not have been able to learn outside of the workplace, and the apprenticeship approach has developed my confidence and skills whilst giving me the space and time to develop professionally and personally. I also think it has been very beneficial for me to be trained whilst having my qualifications pad for, as I would not have been able to do this independently.

I would advise applicants to do as much research as possible about the company and the job they are applying for to make sure that they are fully aware of the commitment they are making before they make it. Developing skills personally and outside of work is a great way to make yourself stand out in interviews, and it is important to conduct yourself politely and professionally. Research core values (Responsibility, Trust, Transparency, Openness and Appreciation) and prepare for the interview.