Maintenance engineer apprentice Review

When I am in College, our group learns multiple units related to my job role such as health and safety in the workplace, three phase motors and mathematics. When I am not in college I am on placement on sites around Rolls Royce learning maintenance hands on with skilled and experienced engineers. I also partake in courses during work-time such as working at heights and drive safe arrive safe, and other courses that will help me in not only my apprenticeship but also my life outside my apprenticeship, such as the financial awareness course.

I have developed my hand tool skills to a level where i can file a surface down to a level tolerance of 0.03 mm. I have been able to slightly develop my mathematics skills after doing a level maths at 6th form. I have developed my electronics and electrical skills after doing GCSE electronics and AS level physics. I have developed new skills such as confidence, electrical and electronic principles and three phase motors.

I really enjoy working with my hands, and it can be very fun to use my mind and my hands together for a task too. I really enjoyed the two outward bound trips we had, as we were took completely out of our normal working environment, but the program still taught us principles that we can use in the workplace such as teamwork and listening to others as well as speaking your mind as well.

The business side of my apprenticeship is very well organised, with a clear plan set out for where we will be and what we will be doing. This was also the same in our first year when it came to workshop weeks, as we always knew where we will be and what we will be doing. Derby college on the other hand hasn't organised anything, they do not communicate with each other and the business, and we end up getting either no work, or too much work at one time.

When it comes to learning in a working environment, the help i get is unbeatable. I get one to one teaching and i learn very quickly and very much in these scenarios. In the LDC workshop environments i get good teaching there too, as i get everything taught to me clearly before i start a task, and if i need help i can ask my tutor for guidance or an example. If i ever need help with something that is not work related, i have been informed that there are multiple sources of help throughout the business in the form of well being and safeguarding officers.

In college (Derby College is not my employer), in one unit, tutors have not taught me a single thing about that unit, but the rest of the units tutors have done a very good job in getting me the top scores all around the board. In the one unit where i have not been taught anything, i have taught myself (as the rest of the group has) how to do the unit. I have used material online and material on the Derby college website to help me with this.

The topics that i get assessed on and tested on in college are all very useful to me in my role as a maintenance engineer apprentice. This is due to the fact that i am learning how to remain safe, how things work and the theory behind practical activities, which further boosts my understanding of the subject further than just either doing only theory or only practical exercises. I think that both college, workshop and placement activities all benefit me in termas of my role at this company.

There are multiple, such as a rugby team and a football team. There is also the opportunity to join STEM and be an ambassador to them. There is a gym at certain sites, and also at the fitness centre meaning that we can keep fit near work, before or after to save travel time to our gyms and football/rugby teams. In my apprenticeship, it is mandatory to join in in the STEM ambassador scheme.

Yes

You are treated very well, by all colleges and visitors. It is a career which holds a vast amount of opportunities for those that aim for it. The job you desire is a fun one, if i got the same role at a company like Toyota i would not be as happy as i am here with my role at Rolls Royce. [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyApprenticeship Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions]

Research into the company and its values, apply that knowledge when writing your CV/Resume, and bring it up in interviews. Stress that health and safety is the number one priority throughout the business, then talk about how you will perform in the business, ie hard working, punctual and other qualities that will show that you are suitable for the specific role you are applying for. It is not good enough just to say that you will do this, however. You must prove that you hold these qualities if you get into the role. It is also important to be confident in your interview, to show you are confident in yourself at this role.