Rating
- 1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
- 2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
- 3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
- 4. How well organised/structured is your programme?
- 5. How much support do you receive from your employer?
- 6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
- 7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
- 8. Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
- 9a. Would you recommend Martin-Baker to a friend?
- 9b. Why?
- 10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Martin-Baker?
As a test apprentice at Martin-Baker I perform a variety of different tests on ejection seats and crash worthy seats. Some of the different tests are ballistic tests, Static load testing, endurance testing, rocket motor firings, etc. I also use machines to manufacture components, mounts and fixtures for tests. As part of my apprenticeship I am also moving around departments to gain experience and knowledge from different areas.
From working at Martin-Baker I have learnt a lot of new skills, not only from the different people that I have got to work with over the years but also from the training that I have been provided from the company. I get to learn and develop my knowledge and skills as well from all of the different department that I get to work in.
Some of the things that I enjoy about my apprenticeship is that I get to work on ejection seats that will save peoples lives, I also get to work in some interesting departments, learning from lots of people. I also got to work in some departments that don't usually have apprentice such as the design department, which meant I got to use and learnt modeling software.
The structure of my apprenticeship is well organised, I have a review every 6 months, I know where and when I will be moving departments, I also know roughly what I will be doing and what is expected of me. There is also lots of people to talk to encase I am unsure on the structure but there is also some flexibility with in my apprenticeship.
I receive a good amount of support from Martin-Baker, anytime I have an issue there are lots of people that are willing to help. If I need any help with collage/University work there are plenty of people to talk to. I also have a lot of Guidance form the people in my department.
When I was attending college I felt that I didn't get a huge amount of support when doing my HNC. However that college has been change to one that does provide the support. When I doing my NVQ level 3 I believe I did get lot of support as we had monthly/2 monthly meeting to track my progress.
I believe that my qualifications did help me in my job as a test apprentice but the most important thing that helped me was learning from the people around me when working. However I am now studying for my degree which I believe will definitely help me as an engineer.
There are lots of different thing to get involved with out side of work. There are sports such as football, cricket, skiing/snow boarding, wakeboarding. We also organise curry nights and pub crawls. As apprentices we also get to go to Airshows like Royal International Air Tattoo to represent the company. There has also been a few times where I have been to the Royal Aeronautical Society in London.
Yes
It is a great company to work for, I get to work on a really cool engineering product that saves peoples lives. I also get to study for my degree which is not the usual path for an apprentice but the company has allowed me to do it, there is also a lot of thing to do out side the company.
Some advice for people applying is to have a passion in engineering. It is also really good for people to get work experience, it really helps when you are applying as you will already have a little bit of experience and knowledge. It is also good for you to read up about the company so you look enthusiastic in your interview.
Details
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Engineering
Greater London
March 2019