Apprentice Aerospace Fitter/Inspector Review

by Rolls-Royce

Rating

7/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

I am an apprentice aerospace fitter/inspector building and maintaining Rolls-Royce gas turbine engines

8/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

I have learnt and developed advanced fitting knowledge of how to assemble and maintain gas turbine engines and modules with an in depth understanding of the theory of flight and how a gas turbine engine operates.

8/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

The practical and theoretical side of the programme has been very enjoyable with some hiccups along the way. However, the apprentice managers can sometimes be difficult to work with and may not always offer the support needed to complete the programme.

5/10

4. How well organised/structured is your programme?

Overall, the programme could have been organised much better than the way it has with accurate information not always being shared between apprentice managers and apprentices/assessors/production leaders. There are some cases where organisation has been good (i.e. workshop placements) but these are few and far between.

6/10

5. How much support do you receive from your employer?

In some cases, the support has been very good in regards to NVQ assessments within the workshop and from college lecturers. However, the support from the apprentice managers has not always been there when it is needed with some previous issues not being handled in a preferable manner.

5/10

6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

The support from the trainer provider has mostly been up to scratch with a few issues occurring due to COVID-19 making practical assessments difficult to complete, However, there has always been good communication between apprentices and the training provider.

7/10

7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

It helps me to better understand what needs to be done to complete my qualification to the highest standard by guiding me towards to appropriate areas to do so.

8/10

8. Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)

There is an "in house" apprentice association which offers social activities where you can interact with other apprentices and get to know others outside of you intake.

9/10

9a. Would you recommend Rolls-Royce to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

Despite some aspects of the apprenticeship being difficult through improper support, it has still been enjoyable and a good company to work for.

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Rolls-Royce?

Grin and bare it'll work out alright in the end!