Engineering Apprentice Review

My role includes shadowing fully trained engineer's, then taking on a piece of work and to attempt it independently then get it checked. I also go to college one day a week for my HNC and four days a week for an svq2. I am also working towards a svq3 at work.

I have learned how to solder and completed my j-standard 100 to get my Solder specialist certificate. I have learned electrical testing on the job and at college. I have also learned hand fitting skills at college. I have also developed my team building skills with Apprentice events such at Scottish apprenticeship week and the science festival. Apprentices also organise events like paintball. I have also developed skills on the computer and I'm learning how to operate the system in the logistics department at the moment. I have also learnt a lot about the business and how it operates, it's standards and ethnics.

I would give the Apprenticeship programme a 10/10. They send you to college for qualifications while getting paid to be there. nearly everyone you talk to has been through the apprenticeship programme, so they understand your job role and know your limits of knowledge in the department. All employees are helpful and guide you towards right decisions. The employees that you shadow learn you their job role and how to do certain jobs. This is to write logs to gain a svq3 at work. Another benefit is when you start work full time you get flexi-time so you can start at 7am at the earliest and leave at 3:30pm, which is great. I have also enjoyed my time in the apprenticeship so far.

Selex value all apprentices, our tanning manager has twelve week reviews to see how we are getting on, on the job and college. If you have a problem you can go see him, he will sort it out. We are also valued as we get an assessor review every eight weeks to check on our progress towards our svq3.The company also organise team building events and have apprentice nights out. I feel a valued member of the selex team.

The programme is structured brilliantly, we had college for four months then our svq2 finished, we went to one day a week for our HNC and got on the job training, by getting a placement. The programme has a 3 month placement plan where you learn how to operate the equipment and new skills for the department. The organisation of the programme is depending on the apprentice keeping up with work at college and on the job. Which all do. Selex also co-ordinate with the college to make sure work is on track and all reports and knowledge questions are getting done.

I receive lots of support from my training provider, they want to know what we are doing. The work we have completed and to complete. The job roles we have. They also give us surveys and come in and talk to us at times.

I receive lots of support from my employer due to our training manager and apprentice co-ordinator who always want to know what we are doing, if we are struggling and how to overcome any problems, to finish the work we have been tasked with. They co-ordinate with college to make sure we are coping with work being handed out. If not he asks if you need help and will get lecturers to give you extra time with them.

I have been able to meet all my costs with the current salary, I run a car and pay digs, I have a phone bill and sky subscription. The salary can meet all my costs and I still have enough to get out at the weekend or do activities such as golf and football. However it could be increased to represent the standard of the apprenticeship and to get more people applying.

I personally don't see many opportunities, I have a couple of mates who are trying to get apprenticeships in engineering after their college course and have been getting shot down due to the small quantity of people employers need compared to the amount they test.I personally spent about a year looking for an apprenticeship during my time at school and I got to some interview stages and a lot of testing stages and never got anywhere, I was lucky Selex took me on.

Yes

I work here and I wouldn't recommend a work place that I hated. Selex also cares for its employees and starts your pension asap. Also you get paid from day one which is also good. The college work is hard but, enjoyable and you get to know new people such as your apprentice year and other apprentices in the programme. Our training manager is also inform all the time and is always looking for charity events for us to do or engineering events or even fundraisers.

Once you get the job count yourself lucky and don't waste the opportunity. There is no other apprenticeship programme like Selex.