Interior Surface Centre Projects Apprentice Review

Daily tasks and responsibilities include keeping track of parts in production which are being tested with special processes, or future materials which I am helping to integrate, or am investigating as a project. I am involved with team meetings and keeping others up to date on my progress status. As well as consulting with external suppliers to ensure I have the right equipment for testing, I work with them to develop products suitable for R-RMC use.

I have been able to develop my time management in order to delegate and incorporate my responsibilities into my daily work routine. Aside from this, I have become more confident in doing presentations as a result of my ongoing projects. However, there are certain theoretical aspects of project management which I do not feel I would cover until I start university, particularly regarding financial handling.

I enjoy the working aspect of the programme with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. The managers and other members of the in my placement departments have all gone above and beyond to get me involved as part of the team, without overloading me, so I can be thorough whilst learning key skills within the business. However, with a view to university, the programme has been sub-par. The communication between the university and apprentices regarding the status of our application near the beginning of our course has been lacking, however is no improving - the same can be said with HR. Communication is much improved since the first issues I had with Portsmouth University.

Currently, I work full time with R-RMC. There is no split between my time here and at university because I am not at university yet. Originally, the structure would have been alike to any other degree apprenticeship, however, Portsmouth university deferred me and all other starters on that course for a year without my knowledge and the gave late notice. This has led to frustrations in finding a new institution, however, there is now a guaranteed start date back at Portsmouth.

I receive an incredible amount of support from the management and line management at R-RMC. In the beginning, sometimes there was not always appropriate levels of communication regarding the situation with my degree, however this is much improved. Similarly, I receive lots of support in regards to my projects and daily activities, including regular catch ups to discuss progress and how I am dealing with these.

Currently, I do not receive any support from my training provider, as by being deferred for a year, I am not currently at university. This has affected my progress at times, as learning project management hands on is easier said than done, particularly when there is no theory to support my knowledge

Currently, I do not receive any support from my training provider, as by being deferred for a year, I am not currently at university. This has affected my progress at times, as learning project management hands on is easier said than done, particularly when there is no theory to support my knowledge. In time, once I begin this qualification, then I will hopefully be able to underwrite what I currently know within my role and be able to look at project management on a wider scale than my current role.

This is an area where the company excels. There are many opportunities to get involved with other members of the business for non work-related events, such as general get-togethers on a Friday night, careers fairs where apprentices can go and advertise the brand. Similarly there are also charity events like bake sails which are advertised in corporate comms for people to get involved with.

Yes

Members of your team will always have your best interests at heart. Even though I got off to a slow start with not going to university, I have gained so much knowledge from the people with whom I work and have made great connections across the business. This is especially true with other apprentices - we all network regularly and have a close knit connection as a year group. The work I do regarding projects is also very rewarding: it is great to see what I am working on erring closer and closer to becoming something implemented within the business - there is nothing to say that this cannot be the case for future apprentices: it has been done many times before!

I learnt this from an ex-apprentice myself and it has been crucial - learn a fact about everyone you come across. There are a lot of people within the business and sometimes it is hard, especially when starting, to distinguish people or remember them. In time this will serve beneficial as it has already created personable working relationships for myself, whenever I have had to ask someone for advice or help, or even to showcase my work.