Engineering Technician Review

I am currently in my first year of my apprenticeship, due to this I am based in college for the first year and spend my time either placed in the college workshop or in class rooms to complete academic modules. I spend 2/3 days in the workshop a week, here I complete my PEO units to help gain an understanding of all of the practical elements that may influence my work further into my career. The rest of the week is spent in classrooms completing a HNC in Engineering Systems

I feel since starting my apprenticeship I have gained skills in knowledge in a practical setting through completing all of the PEO units. I have gained at least one skill in each of the practical units we passed. I have also become more confident in group settings when working. I have also gained more knowledge in my industry as whole.

Overall I have enjoyed the first year of the apprenticeship as I have gained knowledge in my industry and learned new skills such as practical skills through the workshop. I enjoyed the workshop aspect more than the classroom as I feel i learned more through experiencing the process of something being made rather than through report writing.

The apprenticeship overall was structured well as everyone had been given a course to attend, PPE and anything else they required. We also were provided inductions into every aspect of work we were expected to work within. However, I feel communication lacked at times when we were expected to be elsewhere such as the yard or a training course. I also feel like at times when things were planned and communicated to the apprentices, details were often incorrect causing confusion.

If i have any issues regarding the company, any issues I have can be raised through email. Every time I have had a question or issue it has been resolved. We also have been provided with regular communication in terms of any support systems in place such as financial, mental health etc.

We are provided with enough time to complete our courses before being brought into the workplace. We are also supported with any issues we have regarding college as our employer will keep in contact with people representing the college. Our employer also regularly comes into our college to offer meetings if anyone requires one.

I feel the qualifications I am put through allow me to carry out my job more effectively as I develop an understanding around the tasks I will be asked to carry out. The knowledge and skills picked up through my qualifications will help allow me to transition into the workplace easier.

At the start of our apprenticeship we spent a week in fort william to complete an outward bound course, this course was put in place to allow the apprentices to get to know each other better and to meet people from other trades. This allowed be to become more confident and outgoing. I am not sure if there are other activities available as I am in college and cannot access the company system.

Yes

BAE SYSTEMS is a large company that provides quality training and a secure job role, it provides various opportunities throughout your career and further to this provides you with a good wage. If you are interested in working in an industry that BAe operates in i feel it is the best company to work for as it provides so many benefits and support systems

if someone is applying for BAE systems i would say to learn the company behaviours, these can be found on the company website, I would also say to research the company and its contracts beforehand. Research the companies history and the contracts it owns or may be looking at in the future.