Technical Apprentice Review

Within the company, I am a technical apprentice in my second year. This means that I have quite a lot of responsibility within my department, I am considered capable enough to be able to get on with a task assigned to me, but help is still available to me if I need it

Through my apprenticeship, I will achieve an SVQ level 3, an HNC and an HND in engineering systems as well as all of the industry experience I pick up on site. The job has really allowed me to grow and develop as a person and become more confident overall

In the programme, the camaraderie between all the apprentices, and the way that the company as a whole appreciates the work that the apprentices do, they don't just dismiss us as dumb kids or any less than one of their colleagues,they are happy to help you learn, and to answer any questions you might have

Within the company, the apprentice programme is help in high standing, with a lot of the engineers having come through some version of the scheme at some point. The work that apprentices are given is real, and valid, not just some made up task to keep us busy.

The programme is now very well structured and maintained, it is regularly reviewed and we are asked for feedback on things we think could change or improve. We are in regular contact with our managers and assessors, to keep a dialogue open should we need or want any support.

Our mentors, supervisors and assessors keep in regular contact with us, to make sure we are on track and have any support should we need or want it. We also have buddies within the programme, an older apprentice as a point of contact should we need them.

The apprentice management team keep in regular contact with us all, as we have regular full team meetings to address any issues or queries we may have.

As the site is based in Edinburgh, living costs are significantly higher than in other places. For myself, I had to move to the city for this apprenticeship, and the salary can make things a little tight with travel and general living costs of staying within the city. As an apprentice wage I feel we do okay, but it would make life so much better if the wage reflected the price of living in the city

There are a lot of opportunities through the company to work with local schools and events, whether it is to encourage young people to consider STEM type subjects or apprenticeships, or just to help the local community, there are a lot of good chances. The parent company is Italy based, and now the company offers Italian classes should anyone want to learn the language.

Yes

The company really looks after its apprentices, and there is a place of us in the company, for a full and successful career here if you want it. The work is interesting and the people are lovely, and there's always more to learn, since we are always progressing with new state of the are technology

I would recommend not to overthink it, that its not as big and scary as it seems, just to be yourself. If you are meant for the role it will all fall into place.