Engineering Apprentice Review

An apprenticeship that involves moving around different areas or sections within the airport, maintaining various assets of keeping the airport running. Jobs could involve time based maintenance, condition maintenance as well as project works. A whole year based off site studying the fundermentals and basics of engineering and maintenance, followed by day release in the following 3 years, undertaking Engineering Level 3 as well as options to undertake a Level 4 HNC.

As an apprentice, i have completed various training courses put through by the company, for our benefit. These courses include F Gas to work on systems containing refrigerant, manual handling, fire training as well as confined space training. I have also gained my IPAF licence. During college, I have developed necessary skills such as electrical/mechanical maintenance.

I believe the Heathrow apprenticeship is highly rewarding, getting to see different sides of engineering as we move to different sections as well as meeting people from within our company and other students in our college, networking. The jobs completed at Heathrow are very diverse which makes the job enjoyable.

The Heathrow apprenticeship is well structured and organised well. Our training leaders place us on courses around our college times in order for us to gain the necessary skills and qualifications in order for us to become the engineering Technician we train to be. Days are given to us to complete portfolio work if needed as well.

My employer support me and other apprentices very well, by offering support and advice when needed. If work is too difficult or too much, they give us time to get ourselves back on track and complete the necessary work needed per the specific time frame. The employers around the apprenticeship always push us to achieve our best.

My training provider supports me by offering support and advice when needed. If work is too difficult or too much, they give us time to get ourselves back on track and complete the necessary work needed per the specific time frame. The lecturers will always push us to achieve our best.

The training provider, provides us with the underpinning knowledge needed to becoming a technician in the future. It allows us to build on this knowledge at work, in order for us to perform better at work. They always push us to aim higher at our work to get the best grades possible.

The employer provide many extra curricular activities to get involved with at the work place. These include programmes such as different charity events, secondary school challenges where we are able to network with people around the business units and also support with secondary school children, giving them an insight to engineering.

Yes

The apprenticeship is very good, it provides us with skills not only for the work place, but build on personal skills. I have enjoyed every moment of the apprenticeship so far and knowing I work for one of the busiest airports in the world is a great feeling. They provide all training at no cost to you.

As a current apprentice, I would offer tips and advice such as trying your hardest and putting as much effort as you can into the apprenticeship as the more you put in, the higher the reward you have as it will benefit you when you qualify as a technician for Heathrow. Also, be willing to try everything.