Maintenance Technician Review

At the moment I am studying at BMET college and participating in an AME course at level 2 as well as a level 3 BTEC in engineering. In the week, except from thursday I would participate i the different units required to complete the course. This contains: Maintenance, Milling, PLC and Business improvement techniques. I have completed: electrics, pneumatics and hydraulics as well as bench fitting. When I start at the plant I will be shadowing higher apprentices to obtain information on how to approach a machine issue and follow the process on how to repair them. As i increase my knowledge i will become independent and start to work on machinery on my own.

I have learne dhow to use a mixture of different tools and machinery within the different units. I now understand how to use a milling machine as well as take apart and oiling a lathe. I know how to use different tools to build a domestic and industrial electrical system. bench fitting allowed me to use different hand tools which i can now implement in my own life. Fluid power allowed me to understand how different circuits can operate in the reel world and understand systems when observing them.

I feel as the course as a whole has been very good. I have developed my knowledge and skills in a way i thought i would not be able to. Experiencing different industrial concepts has allowed me to understand and experience new outlooks in the engineering world which i still look forward to expanding my knowledge on.

The tutors for my programme have been amazing, they are always happy to help and understand concepts if i am struggling. The only issue i have is that, due to the lack of tutors for PLC, me and my colleagues have been slightly backlogged and will need to catch up on what we have missed which will be sorted soon. At the start of the course, due to the tutors pacing and teaching of lessons, bench-fitting was extended as there was not enough time or knowledge to finish the course until February 2024.

My employer is always interested in what we are getting up to and how much we have learned. If there are nay issues or problem that myself or the class encounter, they are always there to receive the information and sort it as soon as possible. They are professional but friendly which allows for a very positive work environment.

If there are any issues in the college, we will bring it up immediately and the college will investigate it. Despite the quick response, the issue is not always solved in the way it should be. For example, we are not supposed to pay for print credit from the college and have no way to print off work. When the training providers were aware of this, they gave our tutors more credit and said to email them rather than topping ours up which still costs us time when trying to submit work.

The fact that we are exploring many different topics which are completely different from each other allows for a very interesting and diverse course. It allows us to understand different ways engineering and mechanical machinery operate and which version or system is best suited for different roles. This means when i am at the plant i can learn and identify the machinery used with assistance from the person i am shadowing.

At the start of apprenticeship, I participated in a residential team building activity at skern lodge down the south of the UK. In this, I was placed with different apprentices across the UK and we worked together to do different activities such as: boat racing, building our own raft, map navigation and tunnelling.

Yes

I feel as it has opened my eyes to a different side to engineering. The concept and subject we are taught are interesting and not all theory based which are good as you can learn with your hands and with practical jobs rather than having to sit in exams to prove your knowledge. With regards to myself, I have always preferred to work with my hands and do practical work as it is easier for me to learn and I know other people are the same. Meeting new people and new concepts has made me more confident on what to do and has made me excited for my future in this job.

Make sure you are passionate in what you do as it is all based around engineering concepts. Be open to new things and approach them with full confidence and interest. If you are struggling you are not alone and people and tutors are there to help you instead of treating you like children as you were in secondary school. You will have your own responsibilities which makes you feel more like an adults and allow you to make your own decisions. Always be willing to help others as you may need help as well in the future. It never hurts to struggle and that what your colleagues and tutors and employers are there for as they only want to see you succeed.