Mechanical Maintenance Apprentice Review

I am a mechanical maintenance apprentice. This entails a variety of tasks that all involve maintaining equipment for the running of the power station. On a daily basis I interact with the team I am in, my team leader and a variety of departments to aid with any questions asked. I am responsible for completing tasks that will provide me with the requirements to secure an interview for a position as a technician within the company.

I have earned various qualifications including BTEC level 3 and NVQ level 3. I have learned countless new skills to complete the mechanical work as I came straight from school and had no prior knowledge of how to do it. I am also working towards a HNC as part of the course.

I enjoy carrying out all the work I do and enjoy working with a variety of different people to carry out this work. By doing this apprenticeship I have made lifelong friends which has definitely made it more enjoyable.

I get appreciation from my line manager when I have worked hard to complete a task and sort out all the paperwork associated. If I do a good job, it is recognised and this does make me feel more valued.

Very well structured. After the interview stages, there are various inductions for the course. The training in your first year leads on to your progression through the scheme with each year specifying your skills and knowledge in a well formatted way. I have reviews with my team leader and line manager every four weeks with twelve weekly reviews with a technical mentor to look over my progression. There is a clear hierarchy and this leads to everyone knowing what they are meant to be doing.

There is a huge amount of support. They are always ready to listen to any issues you may be having inside or outside work if it is affecting you in work. They will try and support you and find solutions to make it better for you.

Plenty. People are always available to talk and help you if it is needed.

Over the first two years, there are no food, accommodation or travel costs personally so the pay is very good. This was really good for saving initially. The last two years you are paid enough to have money to do roughly what you want with it, and travel costs are minimal.

There are days when I can volunteer to help out at charity days around the community or further afield.

Yes

They have been good to me, I have learned a lot whilst earning qualifications whilst getting paid on top of all that.

Use the tools provided to help progress through the different stages. There is no need to feel under time pressure and take your time to get it right not, roughly right but sooner.