Engineering Degree Apprentice Review

In a typical week, I spend 3 days doing rotation work, 1 day at university and 1 day completing professional development work. Every 6 months (until the 4th and 5th years of the apprenticeship) we have the opportunity to rotate around the site to different engineering projects so that we can get involved with different sectors of the business to see which works best for us (hardware, software, systems, etc.). We spend 3 days a week on our 6 month rotations. We also have a university day which involves us having lectures and studying at either Gloucestershire College (for years 1-3) or UWE Bristol (in years 4-5). Friday is then used as a professional development day, where we track all our evidence for our EngTech accreditation.

Over the course of the apprenticeship so far, I have learnt and enhanced many skills along the way. My time on the apprenticeship so far has taught me many practical skills but also lots of soft skills, which is something GE is very focused on. During the first year of the apprenticeship, you will complete a course on Thursday's at Gloucestershire College called PEO (Performing Engineering Operations) which is a Level 2 course and it allows you to learn the basics of engineering before you enter the workplace properly.

I enjoy the apprenticeship programme here at GE Aviation. It feels well organised and you are given lots of opportunities to develop yourself in all sorts of different areas. The company culture is very good and everyone feels included and well looked after. The whole early careers team (Apprentices & Edisons) work together to help each other out and make everyone feel comfortable and happy!

I believe that the the programme is well organised as a whole. We have a great manager who looks after the apprentices, she is very on the ball and will help you out with anything you come to her with. When you first start as an apprentice you are given a mentor, this is also very helpful as it gives you the opportunity to talk to someone else things if you don't feel comfortable going to your manager about it.

I feel that I receive good support from my employer as I have monthly touchpoints with my manager which gives me the opportunity to discuss any problems or questions I have about anything. I feel if you require more support, you could easily ask for it but this is not something I have needed so far. My manager would always be happy to help me out wherever possible or point me in the direction of someone that can.

I am currently studying at Gloucestershire College where the support is good overall. There are always places that it could be improved but as said previously, I'm sure that if it is needed you would get the support you need, but this is not something I have needed as yet. The lecturers at Gloucestershire College are good and they cover all the stuff that is needed for coursework and exams, and if you need help they are always happy to provide.

There have been many occasions where I have been able to apply the knowledge I have learnt at Uni to the work I have been going at GE. The courses selected for the degree are good in the sense that they tie in closely with what is done onsite. There are some occasions where I can that things I am learning will most likely not be used in my job, but I am okay with this as it still broadens my knowledge into other areas of engineering.

Yes, there are plenty of opportunities for extra-curricular activities. There is a group who play football every Thursday, and there is a brand new gym which has just opened onsite. There are occasional social events between the early careers team, and there are lots and lots of opportunities for volunteering throughout the programme. There are several schemes that this could fall under; GirlsGetSET, Imagineering, Education Strategy, STEMWorks, EES, Work Experience, etc.

Yes

Its a brilliant apprenticeship programme with great opportunities presented to you all with ways to develop yourself. GE is very dedicated to professional development and networking so you feel like you are always bettering yourself and meeting new people every day. I feel I have already learnt some very valuable skills so far and I am looking forward to learning more in the years to come.

There are a few stages to the application process, firstly you will submit an application online along with your CV and cover letter (make sure you write one!), followed by a video interview and then if successful, an invitation to an assessment centre. In my experience, the assessment centre included multiple team working activities, a formal interview, a logic & maths test and a short presentation.