Apprentice technician Review

i am a test and compliance technician at Teledyne/e2v. i am a custodian of one of the test labs meaning i complete daily checks on the labs to make sure that they are tidy, all the tools work and that it complies with the company's health and safety standard. i complete project based work for the Radio power division and at the moment i am building up and enclosure for a test gear. each day holds something different, and i get to interact with many different people; engineers other technicians, managers and other apprentices who work in different areas. one day a week we spend it, in college getting a BTEC in engineering. we also complete NVQ level 3, in engineering to make sure we meet the required guidelines for our roles.

from the start of the apprenticeship scheme get 3 qualification, a PEO level 2 which is performing engineering engineering operations, a BTEC level 3 in engineering, and a NVQ level 3 in engineering activities. we also get internal training for our roles, where we learn health and safety procedures, CAD drawings skills, how to use different tools and machinery and to learn test procedures. in the department i am in i have completed a J standard soldering course which allows me to develop my skills and understanding on how to perfect soldering joints. in addition to this i have developed skills in different computer software and how to problems solve better. once completed the PEO level 2 on block release to the college, you have a training month in work learning many different skills you may need in your placements. we then completed 6, 7 week placements seeing all the different sides to e2v, before picking our final placement we wish to complete an 18 month work placement for the experience you need to complete the scheme.

the things i most enjoy about the programme is the type of work i do and being recognized for it. i am able to develop my skills and knowledge in electrical engineering, and develop an understanding for the work that i am completing. the people at the company are understanding and fully support the scheme, and the company holds awards nights once a year to show case the best apprentices the company has to offer. the beginning of the programme felt tough since i struggled in the placement work, however once i had found a final placement where i could demonstrate to the skills i have and show them how i worked, i began to enjoy it a lot more. it was a change to go from school life to working in a company but i know that it will give me the work experience i need to be more employable to other companies. the scheme lived up to my expectations since it has been able to provide me a starting point in my career.

at e2v i feel very apprecated, from the apprentice manager, to department managers. the company holds a awards evening show casing the best apprentices in each year. the evening invites managers, parents, people from the board of directors as well as other people who work with the scheme. in addition to this we also get to complete schools events and careers evenings show people of all ages about the work we do at e2v. in addition to these we are also able to go on a wales trip to in prove our team building and communications skills.

the scheme is very well structured, since it starts in September a week before the college year starts. In the first week with the company we have tours, talks and meetings about the work that goes on at our company. after that we spend 5 months then on block release in college, completing a PEO level 2 where we learn how to use lathes, how to solder circuits, and how to use hand fitting tools. after that during the month of February we spend it in work, training, with more talks and meetings, as well as time to develop skills, and lessons on how to solder, crimp, and use CAD and SAP. we then start our placements seeing the different sides of e2v. they vary due to the different schemes you are on, but usually last about 7 weeks for the advanced and 12 weeks for the higher. in our last placement we interview for our 18 month placement which is where our final roles after the scheme will be. from September to June we complete a BTEC in engineering on day release, this runs for 2 years. we also complete a NVQ level 3 which is completed in our last 2 years of the apprenticeship scheme. in our first year of the scheme we also complete schools events, which is were we create a challenge for young children in primary school for them to complete. the winners of the challenge get to come to the factory to compete against other schools. we also have to go to at least 2 careers events to prompt our apprenticeship scheme.

we have tutors in college we can easily talk to about the work who can help us with assignments and our NVQ level 3. the college we go to is close to work so it is easy to access if you need to print work off for it. our manager is constantly talking with the college to make sure we can do as well as we can whilst we are there.

we get placement mentors as well as ex-apprentice mentors to help us in work. we have an apprentice manager, and help from HR, there are people about the company that will support you to help you do your best in completing the scheme. the apprentice manager has bi weekly meetings with us discussing college and work problems. in addition he has an open door policy which means you can see him whenever there is an issue. i have monthly meetings with my ex apprentice mentor and day to day meetings with my manager and work mentor.

in the first year of the apprentice scheme you get £12,500 and in the second and third year of the scheme you get pay rises depending on performance hoping to end on £18,000. my salary has allowed me to learn how to drive and buy my own car as well as paying house keeping to my parents, and saving in the process. the location of e2v is easy for me to get to since i could easily drive or get public transport to work. i can also meet up with freinds and spend money on nights out with them.

we go to careers events and hold open evenings promoting the scheme as well as producing school challenges for children in years 5 and 6 to get them interested in apprenticeships. apprentices can also complete the brathey challenge which allows you to get involved with the community. there are local gyms and places to go out in Chelmsford since the site is situated on the edge of town. they hold lunch and learns, at e2v to learn about some of the other work going on with in the company and there are other fast tracking schemes to help you achieve your career goals.

Yes

it is a great scheme to be apart of and you get many qualification from it. the pay is good and is close to where i live and is easy to get too.

make sure you have work experience and achieve your predicted grades. on assessment days make sure you interact with the whole tea you are with. on the video interviews make sure you dress smart and practice any questions before hand and have a set of notes about the company and you to help you get through the video interviews.