Mechanical Engineering Trainee Review

My current job title is Mechanical Engineering Trainee; an entry-level position. Upon completion of the BTEC course, I will become a level one. My day to day tasks include things like updating technical drawings, going to meetings, keeping up with a highly qualified team to meet deadlines; creating spread sheets such as data sheets, pressure drop sizing, duct-work sizing etc. As part of the apprenticeship scheme, I go to South-Thames College on a day release, meaning that for one day a week I am at college. I have worked on a total of 16 projects so far (currently a year and a half into the apprenticeship). main reason as to why I've worked on so many is mainly because in the beginning, the workers want to give you a fairly full range of what the job is about so they encourage you to do a variety of things. for the past year, I have mainly been working on the development of Liverpool Street.

Before coming into Arup, I had some knowledge about the engineering industry and what the skills needed where to complete most tasks. however, when I got here, I realized there was a lot more to it, which was fairly daunting at first but when you actually do the task at hand, with the help of others, you realized how easy it can be.

When first starting out, I was a bit shy when approaching people (introducing myself, asking for work/help etc.), but as soon as the initial meet and greet is out the way, I eased into it and discovered that there was nothing to be shy or scared about. Work wise, I have worked on some interesting projects, most of them being worldwide, and there's a major sense of achievement that something that you do in an office in London, means that it will get put on a live project in the Middle East, or Russia etc.

Extremely. Whilst working here, and doing a wide range of tasks, your mentors and colleagues tend to get a sense what what you're good at and what your weaknesses are. With that knowledge, they will set out to help your development by strengthening your weaknesses and encouraging growth on your strengths. A good example of this for myself is presentation skills. Throughout most of my school life, I hated doing public speaking tasks and was dreading doing the same here. but once I got into the rhythm of it, it became easier and easier. I have currently done 7 presentations, one of which included talking to my whole group (about 70+ people).

The work side of the apprenticeship scheme is very well organised. The college side however, as I am doing a building services course in college, this was a new course for the college to do so they weren't so much up to scratch as Arup was. Colleagues here were very helpful when we got stuck on tasks for the assignments from college. They would set up lunch time sessions to guide us through the questions and give us the relevant knowledge to go off and do it ourselves.

As its a day release scheme, help from college can be very limited. Yes, we can email the teachers asking for help and guidance, but there's not always a guarantee that they'll reply by when you need the information by to complete the assignment, or even at all. They do, however, have a school intranet system called Blackboard. On this, they upload many pieces of relevant information that would be of use to us in answering the questions; things like, presentations that they've given in class, links to websites that we would find useful, examples of work etc.

As mentioned before, Arup have done more than enough to help us with getting through the course, and are still continuing to do so.

The wages here are more than satisfactory for an apprenticeship scheme. When initially signing a contract with the company, you are treated as a permanent employee, including benefits and disciplinary actions. Personally, with my current salary, I have enough money to pay all my bills (rent, phone, travel etc.), enough to have a good personal allowance to treat myself, and still enough left over to put into savings. Travel wise, I live in London zone 3 and have to travel into zone 1. This initially would have been pricey but the introduction of the new apprentice oyster give me a 30% discount so it takes the sting of a bit.

Yes. Each work team has a social budget for the year and lots of events scattered throughout the year, including a summer party, and a Christmas dinner and party too (most of the time, drinks are included too).

Yes

Having worked here over a year and a half, it has been a definite experience, meeting new people, gained new friendships, great benefits etc. If you're looking for an route into the engineering industry, Arup is a great first choice.

You have nothing to lose. Work life can be a big change coming straight from school when you're used to finishing at 3:30pm and getting home early, but you would slow get into the rhythm of things, alongside with that paycheck at the end of every month...