Electrical Engineering Apprentice Review

I am an electrical engineering apprentice, currently we are learning the basics of engineering at QATS (Qinetiq Apprentice Training School in Boscombe Down). Day to day is set up largely like a school day with lessons on various subjects such as maths, health and safety, materials and handskills (learning how to physically make things) and electronics lab sessions where we put together circuits etc.

I believe I have, yes. I come from an arts background and have a degree in Artist Blacksmithing, so I have a slight advantage as to the physical making of things but not in the maths/actual engineering side. We have learnt how to translate a circuit diagram to a piece of circuit board (vero board) and how to get it working through fault finding etc. We also have "e-learning" courses for things such as manual handling etc. In the near future we will be undertaking a first aid training course, which I have not done before.

I enjoy my programme a lot. I feel that I am challenged but not an extent where I feel out of my depth. My apprentice group has been split into two smaller groups to make teaching easier and even though my group is quite quiet everyone is very friendly and willing to help if they are able. All tutors are also open and friendly and everyone seems genuinely happy to be here. I am enjoying my work as it's something new to me and something that I never envisaged myself doing, so I find it very exciting. However there are times where we can be left with little to do if we have finished our work ahead of schedule.

I feel very valued. I receive great feedback from my line manager which makes me want to continue doing what I'm doing and to strive to achieve. I have received internal recognition through feedback from my tutors and line managers at QATS, everyone seems very happy with my progress and would like me to carry on as I am. At the moment there isn't very much external recognition that I've received, but I started this apprenticeship about 5 months ago so am not expecting any. I have recently been asked to assist running a DSTL/Qinetiq stand at a Women in Engineering event held by Wiltshire college that I am excited to attend and would like to get more women into engineering.

When we were back at DSTL for a 2 week placement at the beginning of the year I felt that it was very well organised. We didn't have masses of time to sit twiddling our thumbs and everything was on time and interesting. At QATS most of the time it is well organised and well structured but there can be times where I have little to do as I'm a little ahead of where I'm supposed to be with regards to paperwork etc.

I receive great support from my tutors at QATS. I have never been academic and always kind of wrote myself off in a fashion. However, at QATS all the tutors are more than willing to help me try to understand, even if it means going over things a few times. I also receive support from my fellow apprentices as some of them have a more engineering related background and so know more than I do. I also know that there is support there for things not just related to work if I needed it; such as mental health well-being, finance issues etc. The general attitude is to just ask for help and you will receive.

My manager answers most questions in good time and I know that should I have an issue with the apprenticeship or any colleagues I can go to her and she will do her best to help me. I know that DSTL has a specific group for the mental and general health of employees that I can contact if I need to. My line manager knows my background and knows that I have never been academic and so is understanding that I may need more assistance.

As a more "mature" apprentice I feel that I could do with a slightly higher wage; I'm 27, married, own a home and a pet dog. However, I came into this apprenticeship knowing how much the wage was and what it would mean, at the moment our bills are covered with a small amount of money left over although sometimes I have to dip into emergency savings that I have to cover some things. It would be nice to have a bit left over that I could save for the future. Despite this I know that DSTL offer a higher wage than most apprenticeships, so I am very grateful for that.

So far I haven't had that many opportunities outside of work for myself but know that other apprentices have had a couple. At the moment I have been invited to help run a DSTL/Qinetiq stand at a Women in Engineering event held by Wiltshire College that I am excited to attend to try and encourage more women to enter the world of engineering. Local to me there are a few things that I would like to get into in the summer months, such as working with the Blue Apple Theatre Company.

Yes

Because there are a great deal of opportunities within DSTL and some really exciting and interesting work that goes on. Everyone that we met at DSTL seemed to be really happy to be there and enjoy their work. It's also nice to be paid to learn and to earn a slightly higher than average apprentice wage.

To be open and honest during your interview as well as excited and interested in the work they do. During my own interview I said that I had always wanted to be a lorry driver but was not able to and they said that I could potentially get my HGV license with DSTL in order to move their trucks around. They also pushed me to go for the electrical pathway instead of the mechanical one that I was originally considering, something that I am very glad I did as there are more exciting and variable opportunities for the future in electrical engineering. It helps to try and be relaxed and calm during the interviews and to try not to be generic in answers; e.g. "good team player, hard worker, punctual etc." and if it can't be avoided then have examples. One of the reasons I was hired was because I told my interviewers about when I was up till 3am with some colleagues from uni getting their final projects finished. I would also say to be open about mistakes, they are a great learning tool and being able to admit your own mistakes allows you to move forward and do better next time.