Mechatronic Engineering Apprentice Review

I am currently in my 4th and final year of my apprenticeship, and this includes carrying out shift work on a specific shift on one section at a time, rotating every three months. As I am coming to the end of my apprenticeship gatwick has attempted to place me on the section I will hopefully qualify on, so I am doing an extended stint on Airfield, allowing me to gain further knowledge and experience with the equipment and assets. In your 3rd and 4th years of the apprenticeship you are on day release at college, completing a HNC at East Surrey College for Electrical and Engineering Principles/Devices, Mechatronics, and Managing a Professional Project. We are given plenty of time to complete college work at home, but also to complete our NVQ and then eventually an End Point Assessment, where we have to prove our competency and understanding of the engineering systems we see in industry and at Gatwick.

Throughout the apprenticeship I have lost track of the amount of skills I have learnt. In the first two years you spend your time at college learning the basics of engineering, and building a base layer of understanding, skills and knowledge. Learning subjects from Electrical and Mechanical Principles, to Welding, Turning, Milling, the fundamentals of hydraulics and pneumatics, CAD modelling but also electrical installation, and fabrication with hand tools. Whilst at Gatwick you then further these skills, learning how to understand, maintain and fault find the specific systems we have at Gatwick, along with useful information which can be found across engineering as an industry, regardless of the company. Since being in my 3rd and 4th years I have also taken the opportunity to carry out other optional courses, such as PAT Testing, and IPAF Training. Which will stay with my for my whole career. Throughout the apprenticeship you also learn a handful of useful life skills, such as how to confidently give presentations and talks to large crowds, how to plan and manage your own projects, and one of the most important time management. As it is vital for you to be able to manage time efficiently, to be able to make it through an apprenticeship.

I absolutely love this apprenticeship. Throughout the entire programme I have felt nothing but support from any person I have come across, from within engineering, but also from the surrounding departments which Gatwick have. You genuinely feel cared for, as you have 24/7 support from any manager or technician as they have more than likely been in the same position as you, as most managers and technicians have been through the apprenticeship programme themselves. Gatwick takes the time to build you into a better person, setting you up for a life within the industry, and typically with them as most staff start there career here and also end it here, staying until they retire.

The apprentice manager has structures and organised the scheme incredibly, ensuring that everyone has time to complete every task they are required to, allowing each apprentice the opportunity to push themselves as far as they can, to achieve the highest grade possible, and become the best person they can be. As we do long day and night shift work, our shift pattern allows use half of the month of after every few sets of shifts, so you there is plenty of time to go away and come back ready to work, but again, if needed, time can be used to complete required college work and training.

As previously mentioned, the amount of support we get is amazing, anyone you are introduced to only wants the best for you, so anything you may need from support to advice you will practically get in an instant. If you ever have any concerns you are constantly surrounded by skilled and experienced people, who will take as long as it takes to make sure that you have the answer to any of the questions you may have. At Gatwick, mental health and wellbeing is vital, so there are multiple support systems set up to truly ensure you are happy at work, but even at home.

As previously mentioned, any questions we may have, we are constantly surrounded by people who are able to, and want to help. You could genuinely have a question or concern at any hour of the day, and someone will be there to support you no matter the question. Whilst at work we are given plenty of time if needed, to carry out any course work or training due, if you manage time well and ensure that tasks are being carried out on time, there is no need to feel pressure or stress.

Everything we do from college to in the workplace can be related back into our day to day roles. As we have such a wide range of sections at Gatwick, with such a diverse set of assets, every lesson or training course we do, can be later used at work in some way or another. Allowing for apprentices to quickly be more confident towards working, which then in-turn makes it much easier to learn new skills and gather new information as we already have a baseline of knowledge to use.

At Gatwick each team has a fund per person for team building days which gatwick ensure to use every year. This allows for teams to build stronger relationships, which then increases efficiency and overall communication as a team. Every year as part of the apprenticeship we are all taken to an outward bounds facility for 5 days, where you spend time with all of the other apprentices, going out for hikes, gorge walking, climbing, abseiling, and even canoeing. Each activity ties into Gatwick's values, and every year we come away feeling closer as a group, and in some ways more confident as at least one task will be out of your comfort zone and new to you.

Yes

Apprenticeships as a whole is an amazing option for those who may not want to go to university, but want to start a career in an amazing industry learning new skills, and working more practically with their hands. Apprenticeships build an incredible foundation for a long career which can set you up for life, and allow you to go as far as you are willing to push to. Gatwick is a phenomenal example of an apprenticeship, creating opportunities for a wide range of ages, enabling those who want to work with their hands, earn while they learn, and also for those who want to start a career whilst gaining qualifications at the same time, with no debt afterwards.

Simply show that you have a passion for engineering. You don't have to have completed massive engineering projects in the past, or have all the answers, skills and experience. If you simple show that you are interested, enthusiastic, hard working and proactive, I am sure that Gatwick will see the potential and give you an opportunity to make the most of that drive.