Engineering Degree Apprentice Review

In my job I rotate to different areas of my company every 5 months, my role currently is in Digital manufacturing and involves helping to implement new software (Microsoft powerBI) within the Derby turbine campus and to help phase out old software that is been used to make manufacturing more efficient). I also use my skills as a STEM ambassador to attend STEM events and to inspire the younger generation such as the Big Bang fair in Birmingham.

Before starting i had limited experience with speaking and communicating effectively with colleagues, however the apprenticeship has taught me how to effectivly communicate with others to help me achieve my goals and to help others achieve theirs. I have also developed my CAD skills by attending an intensive 20 week drawing course on NX-11 which has allowed me to produce quality drawings of parts and components to Rolls-Royce standards. It has also given me the ability to interprete drawings and gather information I need from them

I look foward to new working days as they always present challenges and new things to do, whether it be communicating with colleagues to check the progress of projects and get their buy-off for ideas or a drawing or idea that needs to be finished. There are always days though where I don't want to go to work however I always have the support of my friends on my scheme and colleague's around me.

I have a good understanding of how my program operates and the targets I have, over the years my company has been running apprenticeships it has been able to fine tune them so that they are able to run smoothly as the apprentice will always know what is required of them. The university aspect of the apprenticeship is also well managed, we always know when our modules start, whats they will be and when coursework/exams are.

I always have the support of my employer in stressful or hard times. In the past when I have needed to have time off for family matters my employer and managers have been very understanding and very supportive of me, helping me through that time. If I need extra support with learning then I have also received that, extra help sessions from my lectures have been organised to help get the grades I need to succeed.

If i ever need support then my university has always helped, providing support sessions and answering any questions I have sent them over email, they are always very welcoming when in lectures and make it clear to me and my colleagues that if we ever need help then all we need to do to get that help is to ask for it. If we have ever had issues with the university not providing the level of support we need then we have gone to our employer and asked them to speak to the univeristy to get help and that has worked.

My qualification helps me to understand necessary principles to work effectively in my role (it teaches aerospace engineering and business studies) which has helped to open up new opportunities due to me having the neccesary knowledge.

There are some activities to be involved in at the leisure club however I don't participate in them. In my team they have done events such as Pub quizes, large charity runs and football games to help build a good team working dynamic. There are also larger events such as the Rolls-Royce dinner which you can be invited to attend if you are successful in competitions which can give you good opportunities to network

Yes

It has been an amazing company to work for that has show that it cares about me and my colleagues. It also has provides me with huge amounts of personal development and the skills I will need to be successful in my future career wherever that may be. I have no regrets about joining the company and am very glad I chose to work for them instead of any other schemes I applied for or universities I applied for.

if you are ever offered any opportunities then take them, always try to prove that you are the best as you are surrounded by amazing people so try to stand out. Enter competitions, try to upskilled yourself at work and make yourself an asset to the company to get the best opportunities.