Manufacturing Engineering Higher Apprentice Review

My role is a Manufacturing Engineering Higher Apprentice. On my day to day I work with engineers accross the company, learning about the production and manufacture of various aerospace components for Rolls-Royce jet engines.

Without a doubt. I have developed many skills, especially interpersonal skills; communication, leadership. I have learnt many new things, perhaps most importantly are industry wide standards and practices, which I know my friends at university will not be learning to such an extent. I truely believe that what I am learning on my apprenticeship will set me in better stead for a professional career.

I really enjoy the programme, I can honestly say I have had some incredible experiences. I've met fantastic people and have had the opportunity to whitness world class engineering. I've gained experience and knowledge on a multitude of manufacturing processes, many of which you'd be lucky to whitness over the span of an entire career, let alone 2 years.

Firstly, can I emphasise that I feel the positives of my apprenticeship far outweigh the negatives, I have no doubt that I have made a great decision enrolling on this apprenticeship. However, one thing I do think Rolls-Royce falls down on is making apprentices feel valued. Sometimes I'm not entirely sure that people are invested in my success, apprentices can sometimes be considered a nuisance for people that are going about their day job. At the same time, I do understand this to an extent, but it would be nicer for the company to have a greater emphasis on the importance of apprentices for the future of the company, this ethos needs to be shared with the entire workforce.

The programme is certainly structured. All apprentices are given a secondment plan, detailing a schedule for the departments they will be visiting. However, rightly or wrongly, I don't always feel as though much thought has gone into the plan. People are not always told when an apprentice will be arriving in a given area, so they're not prepared and may be lacking in any good work for an apprentice to be getting on with. This is a shame sometimes, because with the correct preparation I know that work can be found that will compliment our learning whilst at the same time benefitting the business. Sometimes I'm not sure that the work I am doing is benefitting my learning or helping the business.

My training provider regularly visits the site at which I am working for 'progress reviews'. Unfortunately though, these reviews have become a bit of a form-filling excersise. I know that the training provider would'nt be much help or provide much support with any problems I face.

My employer is almost always willing to give me any support I may require. I received a great deal of support at the begining of my apprenticeship, but I get considerably less support now. Despite this, I still feel supported; I know that there are many people I can speak to with the business or that my Aprrentice Development Leader is only a phone call away if I have any problems.

My salary just about covers my living costs with a little left over. I have however had to relocate for my apprenticeship, so I have to pay for rent, food and bills, as well as the running of a car. In this respect my salary has given me lots of independance at a relatively young age, and whilst I don't have a great deal of money I am quite content.

Rolls-Royce make every opportunity to provide apprentices with opportunities outside of work. All apprentices undertake STEM Ambassador training, with the opportunity to visit schools and other institutions to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. There are also various societies at Rolls-Royce for events outside of work. I play 5-a-side football every week with colleagues.

Yes

World class engineering and training. An incredible company with phenomenal opportunities. A higher apprenticeship is a real alternative to university.

Demonstrate enthusiasm and interest. Show this throughout your application or interview. You don't need to know it all, but you need a strong capacity to learn new things. Give examples of when you've had to use skills that are tranferable to an engineering career, make it clear that you have the right personal traits and the aptitude to succeed on an apprenticeship. Show that you've taken interest in what Rolls-Royce does, what it manufactures and its history.