Electrical and Electronic Apprentice Review

I move around multiple parts of the business, working in electrical, electronic, mechanical and business departments to gain a wider range of knowledge of how the business works. Within each department I get trained to do the task set to me and given real world work to complete to further the business and my experience.

The new skills I have learned have developed along with the department I have been into. Meaning when I went into the PCB department I learned how PCBs are designed and the overarching knowledge that goes into designing one. I also developed my team working skills by needing to talk to someone at least every week.

I really enjoy my apprentice programme. The support from the HR team and every department I have been into so far, has been beyond what I expected. The college could be more organised but that is soon forgotten when you see the massive amount of opportunities the programme opens up for you. The work is fulfilling and enjoyable to complete while still being challenging. The events mean you can gain a further knowledge and experience of the wider range of engineering.

The apprenticeship itself is very organised and is structured so throughout the year you move from department to department gaining both knowledge and experience while growing a network that by the end will stretch the whole company. The college on the other hand has been quite disorganised with the new scheme and miscommunication causing confusion for use to get assignment completed in time and to a high enough standard.

The support from the HR team and every department I have been into so far, has been beyond what I expected. If you have any issue you can let them know and they will do there best to help you to a fix. Or if they themselves cant help they can guide you to the relevant person who can.

The support from the training provider is a little more lacking as with the new qualification standard it means both the college and training provider are confused with what to do and how to best help us with achieving our qualification. Moreover with the training provider only being based at one site it means seeing them in person very difficult and lacking.

In the workshop you will use milling machines, lathes, pillar drill and other such equipment including the tools associated with said machines. You will learn how to create tasks with varying tooling methods. This along with other workshop activities help with the job role as if you ever need to send anything off for rapid prototyping, you have a better idea of what is possible to be manufactured.

Yes there is an football league, and there are multiple other groups set up by MBDA employees that run throughout the year. There are lots of career events and company events and well as team building events that too run throughout the year to get to know many people within the company.

Yes

MBDA was recently placed 11th in "Sunday Times Best Big Companies To Work For" award with should give insight into the prestige of working for MBDA. The HR team are very supportive, most people are always happy to help. As I new starter, you are made to feel very welcome and are challenged but not overwhelmed.

Make sure your ready for a challenge and a new one at that every day. Don't be too nervous as everyone is very nice and understanding and the work is very satisfying and immersive. The advantages are excellent and the opportunities are endless with the ability to meet people you'd never think you'd meet. Keep enthusiastic and always keep one ear open as so many people around you have decades of experience so you can learn a lot from even passing by.