Apprentice Technician Review

I'm and Apprentice Technician, now in my final long term placement working as part of the development team. In this team I am able to get involved with a variety of projects that require me to regularly switch between team and individual work. My responsibilities vary greatly depending on the project. These have ranged from taking apart and rebuilding jigs or products, to contacting suppliers, working with customers internally and externally and helping develop the apprenticeship scheme itself. On a daily basis, I will often switch between a mixture of tasks keeping my day full and varied.

Since starting my apprenticeship, I have gain a PEO Level 2 and am close to completing my BTEC Level3 in Engineering. Internally, I have had numerous training sessions on continuous improvement, the physics behind the products my company makes, personal insight and interpersonal skills. This combination of training has not only greatly improved my academics, but also my personal skills like confidence, communication and work management.

Having spent the first year moving through the company changing area every 7 weeks, I was able to find the perfect team for me to work in. However, in every area I visited all employees were always more than happy to help and guide me through. This support and opportunity have really made the job as great as it is.

At Teledyne e2v, the apprenticeship scheme has been running for decades, meaning that many senior engineers were once apprentices themselves. This automatically creates an appreciation, understanding and respect for apprentices moving through the company. I always feel the work I am given is of value to the team and company and no just to keep me busy.

In the first year of the scheme, we begin with an induction week getting to know other apprentices, the company and what is expected. For the following five months we are at college full time completing a PEO Level 2 4 days a week and either a BTEC Level 3 or HNC. Once completed we return to the company for a month of internal training provided by colleagues including current and ex apprentices. During the training month, we are assigned an apprentice mentor to guide us through the scheme and answer any questions that come to mind. With all the introductory training complete, we begin our placements. As part of the Advanced scheme I has six placements, each seven weeks long with a progress review at the end of each one.

I am soon to complete my Level 3 BTEC with still an entire term left of the academic year. This is because the college has worked to rearrange classes and organise our education in the most effective and efficient way possible. Each of our tutors are very knowledgeable and supportive to keep us on track and ensure we always have access to required resources.

Our apprentice manager is a part of the HR team, and previous workshop leader. With this background he is able to understand and support both any personal of work related problems we may be encountering. Our manager takes great pride in what he does and will always put his apprentices well being first, pushing for us to succeed and get involved with as much as possible to help our development. To help this he is always looking for ways to improve the scheme and succeeding greatly with each attempt.

Whilst living at home with parents this salary is quite generous, allowing most apprentices to indulge in their car passions and still support themselves on a daily basis.

As apprentices we are both IET members and STEM Ambassadors, encouraging us to promote STEM to all through careers events and school visits. Annually we visit local primary schools to host an engineering challenge with Year 5 and 6 Students. We also visit a number of secondary schools either getting involved with entire STEM days or events. As part of our training we are also taken to wales on a bi annual residential trip where we take part in a number of outdoor activities to bond us as apprentices and develop both our personal and team work skills. The apprentices also have their own football team that compete both in and out of work. As a group of apprentices we are also quite social and regularly go out together on nights out or small trips.

Yes

Teledyne e2v is one of the most supportive whilst professional and challenging company's I've experienced. The products we make and science behind them is fascinating and the opportunities available are endless.

The first stage of the application process is to send off a cover letter and CV, this is crucial to progress onto any further stages. After this you will then be contacted to complete a video/phone interview and if successful will then make it to one of the assessment days where you will be judged through a number of group activities and a one to one interview. Through this process one of the most important things I would advise is to really showcase your passion for engineering, don't be afraid to ask questions and enjoy the day!