Precision Machining Apprentice Review

My job role is to take stock material and turn it into a set of tasks that are pulled together to create my NVQ. My role also includes the occasional machining task for outside projects and for other parts of the business. As well as machining, I also attend college once a week for theory and further learning about my area of expertise.

From my apprenticeship I have learned a great deal of new skills and developed some existing skills. One of the new skills that I have learned it how to use the machinery and measure my work accurately. This has been developed over the 18 months that I have been with the company. I have also developed my team working skills through having a team to help me and through company events.

I enjoy my apprenticeship very much. It is a very happy and friendly community with many new things to learn on a daily basis. Everyone is happy to help and answer any questions that I may have. I also enjoy being able to meet new people within the business and grow my confidence by doing so.

My apprenticeship is fairly well structured and offers the maximum learning capability. I would say however, that like most learning environments, there are some areas that need to be ironed out. Overall though my apprenticeship is very well organised and structured. I think that this is definitely one of the best, if not the best structured programmes out there.

As I said in a previous question, everyone within the company is happy to help and give you as much support as you need. There is always a support network that you can use to help you get through any situation that you may find yourself within. You may have to go digging but it is always there and the people within that network are always happy to help.

All of the instructors are there to help. They may not always know the exact answer that you are looking for but they will always be able to point you in the direction of the correct answer. Again everyone within the learning environment is happy to help and will answer any questions that you may have.

My qualification allows me to do my role as it ensures that I am a competent machinist and able to perform in any area of the business. My job role within the learning environment is able to give me the confidence and knowledge to help me work through any future problems.

At work I try to help out in extra-curricular activities as much as I possibly can. Some examples of my extra work would be; visiting schools for presentations, organising events for all of the apprentices, helping others with their problems and doing community projects and fundraisers for the company. I am also the chairman of the Apprentice Association and help out with the running of the programme.

Yes

I believe that AWE offers the best apprenticeship for people in the local area. Having not long left school, AWE provided me a place where I could start a new page of my life and finally become my own person. Through this experience I would 100% recommend AWE to a friend.

Just be yourself and don’t change who you are. If an opportunity comes up, even if you are scared and shy, say yes! You never know where ‘yes’ could take you! If you get stuck along your chosen path don’t be afraid to get help and don’t be afraid to mix with other people as you could end up with your dream career.