Customer Service Engineering Apprentice Review

The area I work in focus' on interacting with customers from all over the world, internal and external, resolving queries, designing solutions to problems. The overall aim of Customer Service Engineering is ensuring the fleet of in service aircraft are being supported and well maintained, reactively and proactively.

Some of the new skills I have developed could be networking. In such a large company and industry having a strong network you can reply upon for support is key. Another skill apart from technical knowledge I have developed is presenting and communication.

I've really enjoyed my programme, however, there's been times where some placements haven't had a lot of work for me to do, so I've had to push or do something else. I like to have responsibility, sometimes I don't have as much as I want.

It's a well structured scheme there isn't much on that front I would change, whilst some things such as visiting other sites abroad aren't structured, it forces you to be proactive and push for those experiences. You get what you put in.

I receive a lot of support from Airbus, you are never left on your own or need to deal with issues on your own. I appreciate the support structure there is from apprentices from everyday work, mental health support, physical health support, Employee recourse groups such as Pride, BAEM, etc.

Weston is a good college, the lecturers were very helpful and knew how to support. At the start is felt a bit like we were thrown in at the deep end on things such as work uploading and the structure of the course, but once understood, it was all smooth,

Some parts of the course are essential such as understanding how materials work in the machine shop, understanding stress and fatigue, loads, and working to deadlines. Some things may not be used as much in my role however, its good to have that knowledge if ever i do need it.

There are loads, from football, to pub golf/crawls, hockey, dodgeball, or even yoga, running, climbing. The list is endless and its a mixture of early careers ran, and full time employees. It helps massively when getting to know people, making friends and expanding your network.

Yes

The company is incredible, from the product to the people behind it. Airbus supports you to do whatever you want, its common to move around the business and use your experience to help elsewhere. There is something for everyone, and Airbus give you that opportunity to grow and develop.

Its not as much about your qualifications on paper, or how well you do in tests, its about who you are as a person. such as how you deal with pressure, how do you talk to different people, what will make you as a person an asset to the company.