Non Destructive Testing (NDT) Engineering Degree Apprentice Review

My role includes testing materials within a jet engine Non-Destructively. Day-To-Day in my current placement I use X-Rays to find discontinuities within welds. Essentially, I will set up the part within the radiation bay. Shoot the images onto digital plates and then review the images within the office on a specialised system. The qualified supervisor will review my findings and direct me as to whether I have missed something or if there is another possible defect. In a previous placement I liaised with external customers and providers to create a more economically efficient way of training employees within my business area. I had to find out a lot of information and make accurate approximations with data to support my opinions before presenting my findings to a management panel. Day - to - day ... it can really vary dependent on your business placement but it allows you to gain a wider field of knowledge and experience new roles, aiding my decision to what area I’d prefer later on in my apprenticeship.

I have learnt a lot of new skills whilst on the apprenticeship. I can communicate better with a multitude of different people of all ages, all different levels of experience and from various business areas. I have developed my efficiency and productivity by setting smart targets with my managers and apprentice development leader, in order to reach small and achievable aims that coincide to complete a shared goal within my team. I have developed my time management skills also, working in a environment such as Rolls-Royce is is vital that you do your job on time otherwise it can have a detrimental effect to someone who requires your work to complete theirs.

I enjoy my programme very much. At first I was opposed to change and liked aspects to remain the same so I could be in a routine. However, the apprenticeship I am on involves a lot of travel. One week I’ll be in Derby, (where I’m based), the next week I’ll be in Cardiff in training courses for a 2 week blocks before returning to a placement at another site for a week and going back to Cardiff to complete more courses. I also travel to the University of Northampton for block release, before returning to my placement again and consolidate the new knowledge from university within my job. I have met a lot of new people who I regularly see in and out of work. I couldn’t think of a better position to be in at this stage.

The programme is extremely well organised and everything you will be doing in the next 1-2 years I planned in advance so transitions from one placement to the other runs very smoothly. The layout of the courses is great too, we can book into the courses ourselves and do them more or less whenever suits us and our placements; so if something particularly beneficial is happening at work we can be there for it. Allowing us to then book on a course when we have more general work to do or to pick a course that will aid our progression and understanding in an upcoming task.

I am an independent individual, but with that being said the support system in place is first class. Our team have a weekly call with our apprentice development lead, to check everything is going well and to update us on any business critical information. We also have monthly video calls held over WebEx which is a scheduled 2 hour slot so we can share work and experiences, ask any questions and queries we may have. It’s really helpful as it’s not just the 3 years of apprentices in Derby, it is across the UK. This means our colleagues from Bristol, Glasgow, Washington, Hucknall, Derby all tune in and share what they have been doing. This session is often structured and is a more formal plan to the phone call each week. We also have support from the university, line manager support, the apprentice phone line that is dedicated to support us, monthly review meeting to ensure we are on track. You couldn’t be more supported.

A LOT! There is no end of support from our training providers at university as well as in Cardiff at the South West School of Non Destructive Testing Engineering. All staff are very friendly and approachable. You can have 1-1 support sessions with them that you can book in person, online and over the phone. They can then support your needs and requirements in person or on a virtual meeting and nothing ever seems to be too much hassle.

I am in my first year of university so currently we only do two modules that directly transfer into our day to day job but I know that progressing forward into the second year there are more modules that are directly applicable. Our training courses in Cardiff are literally exactly what we do every day so as far as those goes they are directly associated with our job roles. Without this courses I wouldn’t have the understanding I do now of what I do as my job.

There are lots of extra curricular activities to get involved in including the Rolls-Royce Gym, football, tennis, just about all sports there’s a team and if there isn’t you can just make one. There are networking events held often and extra curricular meeting external to Rolls-Royce that you can attend and represent the company for to gain further knowledge in to the subject field. You can’t really find a fault in the additional activities put on, they are very engaging and beneficial to all.

Yes

I have already recommended Rolls-Royce to friends or people wanting a similar experience and share the same passion for what I do in my sixth form. You couldn’t name a more supportive, hard-working, career driven company really. I am super career driven and thrive to succeed so with all the opportunities available within Rolls-Royce and the training opportunities that have been provided you couldn’t do it a better way. I get trained to be good at what I do, I complete a degree that is paid for by Rolls-Royce and then I get paid on top of that... I mean, what more could you want?

Really show the recruiters what you have to offer Rolls-Royce. At the end of the day, you need to have a passion for what you want to do and be incredibly hard working. I think people underestimate the amount of work that goes into doing a full time job and being a full time student studying a degree and additional qualifications. It’s not ‘plane’ sailing at all and can be stressful at times. Our manager always says he like to see us “good stressed” as it means we care and are working to our full capacity and from working hard you will definitely reap the rewards. Showcase your talent and prove why you want to be there, when you have done that, it must be continued in your career.