Joining Engineer Review

My job is a joining engineer. We check daily that all rivets, welds, bolts and nuts have been done properly so the car doesn't fall apart. I always interact with my departmental manager and senior manager to see what I need to do and work with co-workers on jobs. I talk to people from different sections to help aid my job in finding machines to check and parts to check as I am new and don't fully know my work area yet. My responsibilities are to do the jobs and checks set out for me by my departmental manager each day to check for high standards in the body shop. I haven't really done any projects yet but I have checked all robots to make sure the measuring component for different rivets are working. I daily do checks and make sure I am doing my job to my managers approval for that day.

I have learnt new skill to check joints and also learnt new skills in the college like fully disassembling an engine and rebuilding, CNC milling and turning and many new things. I am in college at the moment learning a new CAD software, developing my maths, materials, and manufacturing knowledge. We also do presentations to help us improve communication skills which are very useful when inside plant to help communication between teams.

I really enjoy my job in the work place as I get on with everyone and have a good laugh and I enjoy college as I can half a good laugh with people. It has exceeded my expectations on how well everyone will get on. I enjoy it very much and look forward to more good times. I believe that the culture in the company is very tight and everyone will work together making it more enjoyable and pleasant to work.

I feel appreciated by my manager as I have taught them things they don't know and they appreciate it and vice versa. So far I have had no internal or external recognition as I have just started. We do group tasks in the college and I feel like a valued member of the team always. I also feel valued in the way that I was picked to come on the course over people who also equally worked just as hard to get on.

The organisation of the programme has not been the greatest to be frank. I have on many occasion been confused due to lack of information and poor organisation from the company. I have also turned up to work one day from college not being expected due to the fact my manager had not been told internally that the apprentices were in for that week. However, the structure of the course is very strong and is well adapted to develop you.

If I ask for help I get receive a lot of support from my training provider and I feel like they are very accessible at all times and very good feedback is given and helps develop my work to a higher standard. If I have a problem with something they are happy to guide me in the correct direction to get it sorted. They all have a very good attitude towards students so they can help them aim for high grades.

When needed I can ask my manager or supervisor in plant for help and I have had to do it multiple occasions in order to find my way around the body shops and plant, as it is very big and a lot to learn in a few weeks working their. If I have a problem with a job I am on I can ask for my supervisor to come along and check to see if they agree with me on what I am doing.

It meets my costs quite well as I can pay my monthly rent and put money in a help to buy ISA at the same time to help me buy a house in the near future. It also helps me buy the food I need to eat till the end of the month and also get a few gifts for birthdays or myself as and when wanted. However the area is very expensive and I think the salary is a good amount otherwise it would be impossible to live in the area. Travel wise I walk unless going to plant so covers costs really well.

I have gone out on my own to sign up for the local gym in my area and go to the classes and use the amenities to improve fitness which in turn helps improve how I work. When I am not working of exercising I like to use my computer a lot to play video games, watch films and house hunt for a place to buy to live. I also like to go back home and see family which are 200 miles away and the early Friday finishes enable me to do this which makes it all the more worthwhile working hard.

Yes

I would recommend it to a friend due to the fact it is very good in the way they pay for your development in education whilst working in a growing industry. Also I would recommend it due to the guaranteed job at the end with a very good amount of pay as well. Also I would recommend it due to the fact it is situated in an area that has beautiful places and a good history. However I would warn people that the area is highly polluted to the many cars that are around and also due to the fact Birmingham was the second most polluted area in Briton after London.

I would tell them be aware the tests are vast and tough, and only apply if you really believe in the job and it is what you really want to do. The application process is really easy and quick. Then the tests come after if accepted and there are a few different ones so be ready. The interviews and assessment day can get you nervous but use the nerves in your favour. Then in interview be clear precise and straight to the point with the interviewer and always prepare and practice. It gives you many opportunities other apprenticeships and universities will not give so grasp them all and accept whatever comes your way.