Engineering Degree Apprentice Review

Each day of being an Engineering Degree Apprentice is never the same, main apprenticeship responsibilities include; mentoring, volunteering, professional development training weeks, and going to Uni. This is all balanced with working for a live project at the company, doing rotations through different aspects of the business building a professional network and working towards EngTech/IEng status.

The engineering degree apprenticeship is more than just a degree; through the training at College, on specialized training weeks, and on the job I have picked up a wide variety of skills. An Engineering L2 Certificate, Institute of Leadership & Management L4, Presenting Skills, Engineering Leadership, Running and Managing a team of volunteers.

In many ways the program is what you make of it, I moved out of home and straight to student halls when I first started ensuring that I made the most out of being a Uni student, however now in the older years it is enjoyable to mentor younger students and gain good reputation in the business.

The program now looks alot different from when I first started, due to the government apprenticeship pathways. It is good to know that we now work towards a L6 Apprenticeship from the start, providing a framework for the Extra-curricular activities and ensuring that all of what we do counts towards the final qualifications.

The training received is much more than just a degree which means that I am able to be a better employee for my rotation team not 'just' an apprentice. There is a structured mentoring framework so I know Alumni and other apprentices are always around to help, this is often invaluable.

The wide variety of training is very useful however what really counts is the safe environments to practice your skills. Through the apprenticeship I have managed large teams of volunteers running a pavilion at the Cheltenham Science Festival; these types of experiences allow me to practice what I have leaned before becoming an engineer.

As part of the engineering degree apprenticeship there is a wide variety of training; not just the BEng Degree from UWE but also Institute of Leadership and Management Level 4, Training Courses with A Mind 4 Adventure, and extra engineering technical courses such as a PEO Level 2. These all aid my daily job role and make me a more rounded engineer.

Professional Networking events are often organised within the apprenticeship, this includes visits to other GE sites and events for those in the older years to develop their network with different rotation managers, and look for what their best job maybe. Recently there is more of a drive for site wide events like sports and social activities.

Yes

The engineering degree apprenticeships offers far more than just a degree. This is not exclusive to the EDA, there is a good culture across the whole of the company for both professional and personal development with a wide range of apprenticeships and with more training available such as masters opportunities for team leaders.

Make the most out of all the opportunities that the company has to offer. Be yourself on the application form. Have relevant work experience if it is your first job, this is true for both apprentices and graduates. Speak to current employees and find out as much as possible about what happens here and what the job/apprenticeship entails.