Machanical Design Apprentice Review

Design engineering within the design office at the Warrington office on behalf of Sellafield Ltd. I work 4 days per week in the office and complete a further day at college (HNC in Mechanical Engineering). On an average day, I may complete tasks such as detail design, concepts, inventor modelling etc.

I have developed skills such as modelling on Autodesk inventor, drafting on Autodesk AutoCAD, completing risk assessments, communicating with other at all levels of the organisation, time keeping, maths calculations, outline installation methods, residual risk registers, presentation skills. These skills have been developed both within the offices and during my time at college.

I really enjoy the program so far (being in my second year). The first year was based full time at college completing my HNC and other courses in different aspects of engineering in order to provide a baseline knowledge set, which I enjoyed and found useful. My time full time in the office since September however have been more enjoyable.

The apprentice is well structured: The first year was based full time at college completing part of my HNC and other courses in different aspects of engineering in order to provide a baseline knowledge set, which I enjoyed and found useful. The second year is based 4 days within the office and 1 day at college completing my HNC and starting part of my HND. This day release then continues until the end of the 5th year.

The employer provides lots of support I feel that I could ask anyone in the office for help with any work I may have and that they would be happy to provide support. I have a mentor and co-ordinator which I regularly meet with to ensure my progression and to raise concerns.

The training provider (Wigan and Leigh) provides sufficient support when working towards my qualifications (currently HNC and HND). Teachers are available out of lesson time to ask any questions we may have. A member of staff from the college also visits us regularly in the workplace in order to ensure progression.

I feel that a lot of the skills and knowledge developed at college whilst completing my qualifications are relevant to the work completed in the workplace. This includes maths skills and communications skills. Some information however is not directly relevant to the work undertaken in the workplace, but this is expected to some degree.

There are many extra curricular activities to get involved with in the workplace, such as S T E M events and attending schools and colleges in order to provide them with information about the apprenticeship. As well as this, there are many presentations, events and talks which you can get involved with if you want to.

Yes

The apprentice is well structured and the knowledge and skills which it allows me to develop both in the workplace and at colleges are very useful. I would recommend the apprenticeship over completing a course at University as it gives more practical experience as to what working within a real company is like.

I would suggest picking relevant subject at A-Level prior to applying to the apprenticeship as I feel this gave a good baseline knowledge set in order to allow me to hit the ground running when I started working here and started the course at college, especially related to maths skills.