Electrical engineering apprentice Review

The apprenticeship consisted of day release college, as well as working on site alongside qualified team members and engineers. We would rotate around the different departments at the works, so as to get a better understanding of a vast scope of equipment and environments. You were expected to help out and be willing to learn the day to day jobs, including inspections, maintenance, installation and upgrades.

I have definitely learnt a lot of new skills. Completing the apprenticeship took me from a 16 year old fresh out of secondary school, to being a qualified electrical person, with the capability to fulfil a maintenance role on completion of the apprenticeship. Along with the practical side of things skills learned could include the technical side of engineering, with calculations and such. As well as IT skills.

I enjoyed the experience of completing the apprenticeship with Tata. I gained friends, colleagues and team mates along with the skills and knowledge. At times the amount of work expected could become overwhelming, and there were times of great pressure with college deadlines, work project deadlines, and the desire to do well and succeed. However these pressures came along with more encouragement and determination.

The programme was structured so as to build knowledge over the 4 years. You would start with fundamentals and basic theory, simple wiring exercises and drawings. As time progressed, knowledge and skills improved, and the challenge ramped up. The pace was good and kept you engaged in learning while still having time to get in to the practical side of the learning on plant.

Most times, if you needed any kind of support you could get it. You just had to ask, explain, and be willing to put in the extra work. You could rely on lecturers and mentors to help you when you didn't quite understand or wanted to know more to understand better.

The college supported well, and we had good lecturers who could help out with any problems with the syllabus. Reviews of work were frequently carried out so that they could steer you in the right direction and give you areas to improve and things to put more effort in if needed.

Without completing the apprenticeship and required qualifications, I feel you would struggle to completely fulfil your role at the end. the experience you gain while in the apprenticeship scheme gave a good knowledge covering a wide range of subjects, equipment and theory. Without that it may have been difficult to get going in a role.

The Tata brand has a big part in local community by hosting charity events, sponsoring sporting events, having local teams, sponsored runs, cycling events and others. As well as offering means to receive training courses, visit external companies for training and also additional learning. There were numerous 'team building' days during the apprenticeship that were held.

Yes

By completing the apprenticeship, I had a good start at a career within Tata. From completing my apprenticeship I have continued developing and improving my skills and knowledge base, and moved up the ladder into higher positions to become an engineer. I get all the support I need, and am pushed further rather than being held back.

I would suggest that if you are considering it, to go for it. The experience I have gained would be difficult to achieve anywhere else. There is such a vast amount of processes, equipment and areas within Tata, where you probably wouldn't be able to get the vast amount of experience from one site anywhere else.