Manufacturing Higher Apprentice Review

As a higher manufacturing apprentice my day to day role includes attending the daily management morning meetings, spending time out on plant to learn the process and get some exposure to the lines, as well as undertaking projects to improve our steel making processes for example collecting data on a particular area to find trends and therefore ways of making it more efficient.

There are a number of new skills I have learned in regards to the new software that has been introduced to me such as Mainframe, SQL and Cognex. I have improved skills in the ICT department with my everyday role using the computer and EXCEL. Knowledge in terms of the steel making process has advanced greatly.

I do enjoy the programme. It is good that it involves both physical and computer/desk work which changes things up. The HNC qualification covers a lot of interesting and enjoyable topics. I am enjoying meeting new workmates everyday.

I do not believe the structure to the programme is as best it can be. The HNC and NVQ side of things run by UWTSD and Brigend College are quite well structured, and although the apprenticeship is well organised in terms of what area the apprentices will be moving to next and when, there is room for improvement where targets are concerned and objectives that must be met to make it more motivational with a bit more pressure.

I do receive support from my employer. Any questions I have are always answered as best possible. We have support in terms of time to work on University and college work and any help or resources needed to get on with this also.

The university lecturers are very helpful. They provide their email contact to get in touch if struggling with anything from the classroom. I see a assessor every few weeks regarding the NVQ who is helpful in determining the next steps and where to go to improve the work and complete it as best as possible.

Some modules in Uni i.e. Quality and Business Improvement have been a lot more helpful in terms of helping to perform better in my role than others. I feel the NVQ is quite repetitive and in need of an update to be more helpful in it's intention.

Yes. There are a number of activities that employees can get involved in at work. EG. Magnet is a group set up that does lots of fundraising and activities like doing hikes, social nights out, car washes etc.

Yes

Convenient, provide good training, almost guaranteed a job towards end of apprenticeship/graduate scheme, global company, good exposure to new life skills.

Get as much out of the experience as you can