Electronic Technician Apprentice Review

Daily tasks involve going to a morning meeting with your manager to discuss anything that has been said by the high ups, if college was attended the day before you explain how it went and give pros and cons. internal interactions will be with the managers and mentors in the academy, and the main external interactions will be with the colleges. As an apprentice you are responcible for completing/attending any training courses, completing timesheets and keeping your work area tidy. There are a large amount of projects to be completed in the first 18 months (which are spent in the academy) which help you go from the very basics of electronics to more technical and tougher circuits. Near the end you will then go onto learning to code which is a useful skill to have. When you leave the academy, you then spend time in different areas of the buissness to give you more of an idea of what goes on in the company. This is a great way to get valuable experience along with the networking possibilities.

I have learned a lot during my time, from the basics and learning how to build a simple LED circuit to designing and building complex circuits which are then used by the company. I haven't just learned about electronics, I have also developed my skills with 2-D and 3-D CAD and with coding C, C++ and Java

I have enjoyed the apprenticeship for the most part, there have been some issues but i dont think it has made it bad. The team i work with in the academy are good, we have all gotten to know each other well and we see each other outside of work. Its a great way to make friendships which will last a lifetime. The company culture has improved since I joined but has a way to go, most people i have met are friendly and can easily strike a conversation. The programme exceeded my expectations but thats mainly due to the lack of information i was given before I started. This has since been changed for later years.

The induction is well structured and takes a couple weeks to complete. Most training is completed by your manager who teaches you the basics and then checks your work after each project. They are also happy to help you, should it be required. We gain mentors when we start going out into the buissness, they are all very knowledgeable and work with you. I believe the programme is well structured but it does have holes in.

Managers and mentors are always there to help you, whether its support with work or with issues outside of work. I haven't had to deal with the HR team so I cannot give any personal feedback. Other apprentices have said the HR team are quick to respond and are useful. The general attitude of staff towards supporting me has been positive. The main reason is that they want to help the next generation succeed

The training provider is AWE so they have a vested interest in seeing you succeed. This means the accessibility of support and the guidance given is great. As I have said before mentors are always there to help you, whether its support with work or with issues outside of work.

The stuff I am learning is helping me on a day to day basis as most of the theory I have learned is then put into practice. I have learned a lot more from completing this apprenticeship but I still have more to learn as it is a constantly evolving industry.

Thereare quite a lot of community events that AWE get involved with. Apprentices go to schools around the local counties to try and get young people more involved with SET programs. There are company events as well just as quizzes, sports days, awards ceremonies. Social events are put on by departments or teams within as ther are so many people.

Yes

Its such a good apprenticeship and its a job for life as you are hired after finishing the apprenticeship. The pay is good along with the benifits. The people who work there are friendly and there is a sense of a common goal. The teams you work within quickly become family and bonds are made. I also found out that I had a specific learning disability when I started because they screen for it after you join. This is to allow them to help you work in the best way possible.

With regard to the application process and the interview/assessment days, it has changed every year. The main things like most companies is to be able to work in a team, be able to get your ideas out there. The best tip I can give is to just try, if you apply and get the job, congratulations. If you dont get the job, its just more valuable experience.