3rd year machining apprentice Review

i am a machining apprentice, this involves learning how to use the mills and lathes to produce precise components to tight tolerances. i am currently in my third year which means i have a lot more freedom with my work but a lot more responsibilities, i have to talk to customers, meet deadlines and work with hardly any mentor help.

i will leave the apprenticeship with a level 3 diploma in machining (milling and turning), i had never used any of this machinery before so i have learnt a lot in the last 2 years to get to the stage i am at now. i have also learnt lots of other skills including welding, sheet metal, and lots of other types of machines available to use.

i have enjoyed the work that i have been doing and i am looking forward to the future, i work well and have lots of friends from my year of apprentices and work mentors. the company has provided lots of benefits which makes work a lot easier and enjoyable

i feel very valued at dstl, there is always work on, never a day without and people are always looking for you to talk about more work. i have started lots of projects and finished many more. my manager pays lots of interest in myself with work life and outside life

the program is fairly structured, sometimes you dont know what is happening or what your supposed to be doing where you are supposed to be. say this when this is all figured out it tends to be fair well done. this is mainly down to communication and having our training in a different place to where we will be working

my training provider provide lots of support an is only a phone call or email away, he is always happy to have a chat and assist me with anything i need help on. overall i think my provider is brill and he works hard for the apprenticeship

i receive lots of support from my manager with thing to do with work and outside life, this can be to with a job i am on or how i am feeling with work or how i am in general. the employer provides lots of support if i was to go ill or have an accident withing the work place. the employer also is providing me with a hotel to stay at with a hire car and food paid for as i am working away from home and from my home site.

the salary is alright, we are paid above the average wage which is fine for the first 2 years but for the 3rd year where you are doing live work and not really learning anything new we should be paid more as we are now just cheap labor and as a result the money seems to be less compared to other people.

the company provides lots of sporting activities and other outside of work activities. i have not done or used this part of the company so i can not say much about this but i should really start using it. the company provides the cycle to work scheme which has helped getting a decent bike and makes traveling to work cheaper.

Yes

its a good step in to a working life they provide lots of training courses which will give you lots of qualifications for the future. they also have a good working speed which does not put a lot of stress on you but there are time when urgent or rush jobs come in last minute and everything is stopped and dropped to get it done

the interview process for myself was not too bad they didn't ask any awkward question and really wanted to get to know me and what i like to do and where i want to be. so i would not get too stress over the interview process .