Apprentice Designer Review

As an apprentice designer I spend my days on placements with design teams, on the Successor project. While here apprentices are given trivial task such as text changes to familiarise ourselves with the systems before working up to a part, a system or structure block. Additionally I attend college for one day and night school per week, to attain my BTEC NVQ L3.

Yes, I have learned how to use the companies CAD systems, I am also refining skills such as communicating and time management to meet and fulfil deadlines. I have also developed further my knowledge of engineering.

The program is typically good, from time to time there are issues that seem unjustified with the apprenticeship however these are typically circumnavigated.

Varyingly, sometimes with work no progression seems to be made this typically annoys me as think of myself as more of a hindrance. However completing work and helping teams that are very busy is fulfilling especially considering your design will be made.

The program is typically well structured. In the business we are managed well in order to rotate placements to expose people to broadest range of work possible. However at times with the academic requirements at the college it seems farce and waste of time.

My training provider the college has offered no support to my knowledge, if I required support at college I would be more likely to ask colleagues to explain something.

Academically support is now provided by BAE Systems (a graduate engineer)as I am a in the business on a full time basis. However when in the business on placements I believe there is a sink of swim ethos in which apprentices are left to try and find there way with the teams.

As an apprentice my wage is significantly more than I am legally entitled to based on the minimum wage, this progresses further at key birthdays and also with the start of academic years. This money realistically meets my bills, however before my September pay rise I literally had £60 a month spare with nothing towards savings.

In the local area there are many opportunities for apprentices, however outside of work my only knowledge of my employers influence is participation in a charity event and providing STEM presentations.

Yes

Its is a very successful company, working on a multitude of impressive projects with critical importance. Additionally due to the size of the company there are academic opportunities that can have career changing impact.

Be truthful, do not be massively concerned about academic qualifications as I believe effort and determination appreciated more. Any outstanding qualifications such as maths and English GCSE's can be fulfilled at your learning provider, though this only increases an individuals workload.