Apprentice Engineer Review

My role is in production engineering. On a day to day basis I attend the morning meetings to see how much product we are aiming to get through that week and whether we are meeting target. I then check through quarantine if there are any problems with products which I will try to fix. My days can then vary during the week as I will have improvement tasks to make sure the operators on the production line are carrying out their jobs in the easiest most ergonimcal way. Alongside this I will be on hand for any 'firefighting' tasks for problems that may urgently arise on the production line.

I have learnt many skills in my time here. With my job being hands on this makes all the difference. I'm not so good with the theory side of things so it benefits me a lot that I can apply anything I learn straight to a product or process. I have gained my HNC in the past two years and I'm currently working on my HND. The theory I learn during these can aid me in the tasks I carry out at work. I have also developed my communication skills as I need to talk to various departments on a regular basis.

I love the team I work within, it is important that you get along with your team as that will then ensure the most productive output. My job is 50/50 with hands on work and paperwork which gives me much more versatility which I prefer. Everyone is very helpful and my job involves lots of cross division communication so I pick up and gain a variety of skills and knowledge.

I feel very valued by Teledyne e2v as the jobs I receive and work on are of the same importance as what my co-workers are working on. If I wasn't trust to carry out a job I wouldn't get it. So this makes me realise they trust me in doing my best job and I would always question and discuss any issues with my mentor. You will always get some people in any industry who don't quite understand what an apprentice is. However the majority of Teledyne are old apprentices who either did their apprenticeship with Pre-Teledyne or another company.

The program is well structured. Allowing you to carry out ~7 rotations around the company and then you interview for ones you are interested in getting your final placement in. They will then tie up who goes where due to managers discretion and who you favour out of the interviews, to try and make sure everyone is happy where they are. The college days are once a week which the managers are aware of. We get support from the teams we are in during placements and final placement as well as our Line Manager.

I wouldn't say I receive the best support from the training provider. Some tutors are really helpful if I have questions and am stuck on an assignment, others not so much. We have quite a big class and I don't think this helps matters. I enjoy learning at work more than I do at college, as the lessons aren't very interactive and engaging. I prefer assignment work to exams as I struggle with proving myself in an exam environment, so this is good.

I do receive a lot of support from my employer. I have a mentor who I am able to go to about any issues I have, being personal or work, this is all confidential and can be really beneficial if you feel like you are struggling. I also have a placement mentor which keeps me on track and makes sure I am progressing in the right direction. There is also the HR department I am able to go and speak to if I have any problems and don't know who the best person to speak to is. I can book in meetings with any of these people if necessary.

For me it doesn't meet my costs well as I am commuting, therefore I spend a lot of money on petrol and upkeep of my car. I also pay rent on top of this, leaving me only a small amount for social costs, I would like to have more in my social costs pot to enjoy life out of work more to give me a good work/personal life balance. I believe other companies do pay more than ourselves. Most people stay here for the convenience of location (which doesn't really apply to me) or the type of work we do here, it is very niche.

There are numerous opportunities we are able to get involved with being apprentices. We have numerous careers and schools events and are constantly asked about other places we can show our talents. There are also national challenges such as Brathay that we have been involved in. Once you meet and make friends at work you could be involved in more leisurely activities. Most people go out and socialise for people's birthdays.

Yes

I would recommend Teledyne e2v to a friend because of the applications our amazing products are made for. It makes moral high due to the places our products are going to and what they will be involved in. Most of the products I work on are for medical purposes so knowing I am helping people makes it feel all worth while. I also enjoy working with the people I'm with as they are all so passionate and knowledgeable, allowing me to gain so much in a short space of time to hopefully pass on to others.

Just be you. Ensure you put anything on your CV that you are passionate about and do in your spare time. Even if it is not relevant it is important to show dedication and passion in anything and everything you do. Do not lie on your CV this may be very embarrassing when it comes to the interview stage. Start everything with an open mind, you may surprise yourself. Most people start thinking they are bias towards one thing and then find out that they prefer doing something else. So being a sponge and just absorbing any opportunity is key. We also do work experience so that is a good way to get your foot in the door.