Higher Apprentice Review

My role usually involves working on a task that my manager deems appropriate for my level of knowledge and I am supported in the projects that I'm given by experts that work in that role. I am on a rotational placement for the first 3 years of my apprenticeship and this allows me to experience many different aspects of the business.

Many of the projects I've undertaken are real projects that we as a company are fixing, maintaining or developing for customers so this has enabled me to use real software and hardware and gain skills relating to our industry. I've also used advanced excel databases that I hadn't come across until now.

I enjoy the atmosphere as work, currently I work in an Office (although I will also work in the field and factory.) and everyone is very friendly helpful and considerate. There are different clubs in the buildings and I have been involved in the Pool club, cake club and there are many others that encourage socialising with colleges from different departments.

On the whole the structure is ok, I have a well managed plan for my placements in different areas of the business and the time spent in different placements is flexible as well, allowing the apprenticeship to be adjusted to the individual. I spend 1 day a week at college and 4 days a week at work with 8/9 hours a day at work and between 8-9 hours a day at college. There is currently not time for me to work on college assignments and projects other than at home after work or after college which is the reason for the loss of stars.

There have been issues with a lack of support at work for college projects and although our manager is trying to allocate time at work for us to do project and assignment work, unhelpful comments have been made by other managers that "apprentices should expect to do all their college work in our own time" This I feel is unreasonable after being at work for 8/9 hours a day. And coupled with the fact that I have not been given access to soldering irons or other basic equipment this is proving difficult.

The support at college is good, and the equipment is fairly well maintained, tutors are very supportive and [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyApprenticeship Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] is excellent at explaining subjects and takes the time to individually give written and verbal feedback on assignments that have been submitted. Extra support is available to students that struggle with particular areas of the course.

The theory at college coupled with projects I'm given at work has allowed me to learn the reasoning behind many of the electronics principles at college. At work it is easy to become too task focused and forget the overall picture behind the circuit board or controller that you are currently working on.

There are loads of ways to maintain a healthy body and mind at work and this is actively encouraged. There are football events to get involved in, schools come into work and there are opportunities to help out with them as well as the already mentioned clubs like cake club and others to encourage communication.

Yes

There are many opportunities to get involved and help others. Different work benefits like reduced gym memberships, reduced healthcare and most importantly you will learn new skills in a company that values its workers. And you can rest assured that your workday had made an impact in the lives of everyone who is travelling on the roads in the UK and abroad.

Be yourself and enjoy the process. Don't stress. Remember that being able to identify a weakness is a strength. You might have been trained in something that you’d like to take to the next level. Point out that this is a weakness, but something you have identified it as such and are focusing on resolving it.