Materials Laboratories Review

I am an apprentice who has day release at university. The other four days a week I spend on placement. I have 4 months placements which vary between materials placements and placements in the manufacturing laboratory which support product. On my placements I complete a Level 4 NVQ as well as working to support the team I am in. I complete a variety of projects and tasks depending on the placement. Often I update standards, complete Lab investigations and write reports. I have also had the opportunity to complete research work.

I have learnt many skills within my placements. I have been put on multiple courses where I have improved my CV. The placements offer a great experience allowing you to work on projects which someone without a completed degree would never be allowed to work on. I can complete investigations and write reports, I can collect and present data and make decisions based on the data.

My program is highly enjoyable in terms of the placements, the sponsored degree and experience and career opportunities. Unfortunately the management of the apprentices is done externally and is often disorganised. The management have no engineering experience and often the other aspects of our apprenticeship are confusing and ever changing.

.For a "top training provider" it is terrible. We have a Apprentice Development Lead team who have no engineering experience. The quality of pastoral care is worse than the average manager in the business . Problems are often left unresolved. ADLs cannot do things such as use excel , meaning apprentices complete tasks for them.

The company offers high level of support, such as OP health and good leave. However on an apprentice level the support is not as high as expected. There is ALS provided, however just labelling apprentices with a dyslexia diagnosis is not going to help with future learning.

We have assessors in the business who have a full time job as well as being an assessor. This means they are often to busy to respond. The training provide attempt at helping but often change their mind ect

I think my NVQ does not align well with my role, and time spent on my NVQ hinders time I could spend learning my role and other information that could add to my knowledge. I believe my career progression would be faster after my apprenticeship if I has just not an Degree, the NVQ means I cannot focus on placments

Yes there are clubs and groups. The team of apprentices get on well. Apprentices often live together in house shares.

Yes

Rolls-Royce is a great company and the apprenticeship is a good way to get "a foot in the door". However the disorgisation is a pain

Be keen