Apprentice Design Engineering Technician Review

At work, I am currently rotating around 3-month long placements in different departments within the company. I learn all about each department and the work that is involved in being a member of that department. The apprenticeship is very hands-on so I'm sometimes doing the same work as people that have been in the company for many years. You get a lot of responsibility handed to you which is a bonus. The placement you are in dictates what type of work you do. For example, doing testing on hardware, software or just computer based activities.

I attend college every Tuesday as day-release, so there are classes that allow me to learn new skills all the time. Also the placements at work allows for lots of learning, through shadowing a supervisor and internal training courses.

I enjoy it, but it's a lot of work. Sometimes you have to do college stuff at work and you don't get given time by your supervisor to do so. It's difficult but I know the hard work will be worth it.

I feel very valued, they recognise apprentices a lot throughout the company, suggestions are mostly taken seriously and can be used to improve the company in many different aspects. All employees try their best to help the apprentices, answering any questions we have with enthusiasm.

It is fairly organised, all placements and college courses are pre-set and you have regular reviews and meetings with your manager and department supervisors. However, the placements I have been set to go to, I don't feel like they suit my apprenticeship type very well and there is not much negotiation allowed by my managers in terms of getting the placements changed to better suited ones.

loads of support, if you have any problems at all there are plenty of people you can ask for help. Lecturers at college are really helpful too.

loads of support, if you have any problems at all there are plenty of people you can ask for help. Occupational health, managers, HR and loads more places you can go for help. Even asking for help with college work from your department supervisor.

At the moment not very well. My old job I left was paying much higher, so I'm struggling to stay level at the moment. But, pay rises every year for the next 4 years will make life very comfortable in the long run.

There are loads of opportunities for volunteering and team building with other apprentices. However, I feel that we tend to be nominated for volunteering (which then makes it not volunteering) and don't really have a say in the matter unless you are on holiday on that date. Also if you choose not to do any volunteering and focus on your apprenticeship, I feel you are alienated by the managers and they think less of you, which isn't right. They seem angry when you don't want to ruin your weekend to volunteer.

Yes

Great apprenticeship program that gives good returns, opportunity to progress through a massive company and end up with a great career.

Don't bother unless you are prepared to work hard throughout the program.