Engineering apprentice Review

My current role in my apprenticeship is in the application department, answering enquiries that come from customers about our alternators to help them decide which machine they would like or they might require information about a machine that they already have. I think that this current role is very good as you get to know and talk to many other employees all through-out the company, worldwide. This role is an office-based role, and most office-based roles only require you to be on site 2 days a week which means that I am able to work from home the rest of the week.

The applications role can get very complex, as there is a lot of information that is useful to know about the machines which comes naturally if you have worked on the machines 'hands-on' previously, which thankfully, I did work on the machines 'hands-on' before starting the applications role for about 1.5 years and I think this gives a massive head start as it gives a much better understanding of the machines in person as in the applications role it is all theory and computer based so you don't get to experience the machines in person as much (Although if you want more training or want to experience the machines in person then all you have to do is ask because Cummins is very good with providing training and put a lot of effort into giving you as much knowledge as possible).

I enjoy my programme a lot at work, as there is all sorts of training and learning to do and you will never know everything due to the extremely vast amount of different job roles and components it takes to build these machines and calculate data for them in all sorts of different scenarios, so that allows you to constantly be learning and not just repeating the same thing everyday. Where-as the college side could be a lot better as Grantham College is not very organized and seem to lack a strong educating experience which is a big downside.

Grantham College do not seem to have a strong/well structured programme and also have tutors leaving often. On the other hand, at work it is structured very well in a way that lets you experience all of the different departments and see how they all work together and provide an efficient and enjoyable work life.

My employer provides as much support as I need, I have had problems come up in the past and it was swiftly taken care of and I praise them for how they treat not just apprentices, but full-time employees aswell from what I have gathered.

Support from Grantham College is not the best. Our 'Apprenticeship Leader' has been useful and very approachable for any questions I have had, but when it comes to the people higher up for things that can't be sorted by the Apprenticeship Leader, it isn't very useful and very unorganized.

Because the course I am on is very broad, there are a lot of things that I don't/wont come across with Cummins, but it is still good to know. The bits that are related to my work are only somewhat useful with helping me perform better at work and I think this is because of the lack of structure with Grantham College

Yes, me and the rest of the applications team and also a few others from different departments come together outside of work about once a month and we all decide on an activity to do such as bowling, or golf etc. and I think this is an amazing thing that we do as it bring us all together and we get to know each other more and this makes things much friendlier and more efficient at work and expands our network of people and where we can get information from for work.

Yes

Cummins provide a structured and very supportive place of work and there is all sorts of opportunities for 'climbing the ladder' in your career and constant information to learn and take on board and there can be a lot of networking aswell which helps you meet new people and learn about even more outside of your own job role.

Be confident and talk to as many people as you can as everyone is friendly and supportive and will always help you, and if someone cant help you then you will be sent in the right direction to people who can help you.