Apprentice Electrician Review

Going to college full time and studying towards two different qualifications (PEO2 and NC6 Electrical Engineering). Main responsibilities include showing up on time and always make sure work is completed on time and to a high standard. I am also responsible for completing any work on my own time (homework) to main the high standard.

Yes, I've learned new skills with hand tools. I can comfortably use tools such as drills, hacksaws, screwdrivers and not feel as if I'm doing something wrong. I've always found that the NC6 classes help towards the PEO2 classes as I'm fully developing an understand on why we do certain things eg pick a certain size cable, testing etc.

I really enjoy learning and our first year is full time college anyways. I find that the majority of tutors are helpful as well and can answers most questions that I ask them. I enjoy that study time was added into our timetable so that we weren't having to do so much work at home.

In terms of college, I would say it's structured well enough and they have done their best to fix scheduling issues when multiple tutors were off sick at once. I would say that there could be more work to give us/let us leave early because there's at least half of the class that is way ahead of schedule and we end up spending our days in the library playing games because we have done all of the classwork required. This ends up feeling like a waste of our time when we could be doing something else/more learning.

They send out emails with links to any support we may need. The managers are nice and are always helpful when anyone has any complaints. I feel it would benefit some people if managers checked in more because I notice some students struggling and it's almost as if they are too scared to speak up. I would say my only issue was having to wait over half a year to get PPE that would fit my legs, and this is PPE that was also needed for college.

Other than one tutor, I find all staff at the college extremely helpful. They are always willing to try and work out new ways to answer your questions if you are having any difficulties. Some tutors are quick at responding to emails as well which makes a huge difference when you are in the middle of doing the work.

Knowing why we do things the way we do it makes it easier for me to understand what the role is asking. In the workshop class when we're doing wiring, I'm now finding that I can easily read wiring diagrams and schematics from having learned cable calculations and how to use the BS7671, which is taught in NC Electrical Engineering. I am yet to do work on site but feel I have a good enough understanding of the work. This will make it easier for myself when I am being taught in the yard as I'll grasp what the trainer is telling us all.

I know that the college have different activities they put on but not sure if BAE do a similar thing.

Yes

They invest in their apprentices. They pay for college and also give all apprentices a decent wage for a first year when other companies out there are paying people whatever the national minimum apprentice wage is. They also take on a lot of ex-military which is important to me as I have 2 family members that are currently Seargants and another family member who has left the army. I also like that they encourage women to get into STEM careers.

If you are unsuccessful the first time around, I would recommend going to study part time in the field you are trying to get into and then reapply the next year. This is what I done while also working a full time job and I believe it showed that I was willing to put in the effort to prove that I deserved the job the next time I applied for it. I would also learn about what contracts the business are currently taking on/work they are doing. It doesn't have to be a lot of contracts the learn. At the time I had learned the difference about the type 26s and type 23s so I could actually mention during the interview about the improvements that are being made to the ship.