Apprentice Plater/Welder Review

Plating and welding. Most days I plate all day so this involves reading and interpreting drawings, then cut the beams/fittings for the piece according to the drawing. Drawing is then used to mark out on the piece where the fitting go and then I tack them where they should go. I use overhead crane daily to lift and turn beams over. When I get sent welding for the day I go and weld the pre-fabricated and checked pieces, the weld sizes are written on the piece so no drawing reading is needed really.

I have learnt new skills and developed existing ones, I can now confidently work on my own without supervision and work to a high standard. I find reading drawings much easier than I used to and actual physical skills such as the correct welding technique and how to mark out a beam efficiently and accurately.

I enjoy the program I am on because I am often learning new skills or developing new ones. I learn from people that have worked in the trade for many years and see lots of different ways and techniques to do the same thing. Also the college I am at seems well organised and everything I do and need to do there is clearly shown to me.

There has been points throughout my apprenticeship where things have been very unorganised and I've been left not knowing what I should be doing or what I need to but this was due to my previous training provider. I have since been moved training provider and things are much more organised and structured. The work based learning of my apprenticeship has always been well structured and I always know what I am working toward or what I need to do.

My employer is always very supportive towards my college work in the fact that if I ask for time to complete college work in work time they will often be happy for that to happen, also if I have any problems at work or college then they are quickly resolved by speaking to my apprentice mentor.

My training provider is always happy to help me work towards my qualification, they teach the class a whole what we need to do but if I ever have any questions about the subject at hand then they are always more than happy to sit down and explain things differently to me.

My qualification helps me perform better at work because instead of just being taught how things are done at my workplace and the techniques my work mentors use to get the job done, I also get taught about how the rules and regulations behind everything I do and also the industry standard techniques of doing my job.

There is often out of hours extra-curricular activities organised at work such as football matches, charity bbqs, pub quizzes and obstacle course runs

Yes

Good rate of pay, people are treated fairly and welding and fabrication is a good skill to have if i was to ever leave my job.

Be prepared for hard work but it pays off, the more effort you put in the more you get out of it.