Advanced Manufacturing Apprentice Review

When I started as an Advanced Manufacturing Apprentice, I chose to follow the Manufacturing Engineering 'pathway'. This means that I am training to become a Manufacturing engineer, whose job it is to support the production line and ensure that the production workers have everything they need to perform their basic job functions. This includes writing work instructions and carrying out projects to ensure that they can produce product for the customer efficiently.

Since I started, I have been given every opportunity to learn, develop and put into use new skills. For example, I have been able to gain a better knowledge base and develop my communication skills. I also will gain a level 3 NVQ as an additional qualification when I finish the course.

Overall, I would say I enjoy the scheme that I am on. The reason for this is that I have been placed in welcoming teams that have helped me to develop my skills and I have been provided with tasks that exceed the expectations that I held coming into the course.

During the very start of my time here, it was a little slow off the start, training that was not accounted for and a slow transition into tasks that would introduce me to the business. However, since then, it has picked up well and I have now noticed a much smoother flow.

Although often busy, my employer is quite open and easy to talk to when I need them. They have also arranged a few other points of contact should there be anything that I require, especially for more technical advice where my employee may not have all of the answers to my questions.

The majority of the tutors that provide my training have a good general attitude to supporting their trainees. They are easily approachable and are keen to support their trainees and answer any questions that they may have, whether it is relating to the training that they are providing or otherwise.

There are certain parts of different subjects within the course that directly related and reflect on the work that is performed in some of the departments on the site. However, there are certain elements a few of the training tasks that we are asked to perform that do not directly relate to the work that we do on site.

GE offers a few different ways to get involved with the community with extra-cirricular activities. However, I feel that they are not always communicated as effectively as they could be. When you are made aware of any events and activities they are generally easy to sign up for and enjoyable.

Yes

For what the apprenticeship is and what you can get out of it, providing you put in the effort, the programme can be a rewarding milestone in anybody's career. It gives a good insight into both the business and the industry as a whole, helping to decide whther it is what you want to build a career around.

If I were to give advice to somebody starting the same scheme, I would say that it gets a lot easier with time and experience and to pay close attention to all of the departments on the first week, as they would then be able to get a better understanding of where they might like to spend the apprenticeship.