Quality Apprentice Review

I test materials and cementitious products manufactured on site using standard determination. The results generated will give a full picture of the guality of the product, as well as reporting what alterations need to be made to ensure a continued high standard of output. There is also a careful focus on health and safety which must be maintained by all employees.

I have been able to build on pre-existing skills using programmes such as microsoft excel to produce spreadsheets for conveying information to colleagues. This role has allowed me to begin developing communication skills unique to this setting, where I am able to manage my day around not only the tasks that I need to perform, but also those working around me to ensure we all finish our jobs for the day.

I had no idea of what to expect when entering into the programme, but I have been pleasantly surprised by the support I have received from the team. I have enjoyed exploring an entirely different working environment from what I have experienced before and look forward to completing the programme for that real sense of achievement.

I have found the programme to be very well organised, I am given dates for university tutorials and off-site visits well in advance so that I can make preparations and I have regular one to one meetings with my line manager to discuss strengths, improvements and goals to work towards.

I have received plenty of support from my employer, any questions I have regarding matters I am unsure about will always be met with an answer. I am supplied with all of the resources needed to carry out my apprenticeship and have been met with nothing but flexibility whenever there are clashes in schedules.

For the most part I am able to get in touch with university tutors when I have a query regarding a piece of coursework, although it can often be difficult determining who I am best contacting relating to specific subjects. I also have regular reviews with tutors where I can bring up any issues I may be experiencing.

I have been able to apply a lot of my learning to my work place, particularly regarding health and safety procedures. There have also been benefits of learning about the chemical composition of products manufactured on site as I am able to identify problems or areas of improvement which I would otherwise have overlooked.

Aside from the usual gatherings for occasions such as Christmas, I am not too aware of any additional activities available at my work. Although, as part of my apprenticeship programme I am enrolled in a core skills development course which focuses on group activities, exercises and networking; I'm looking forward to the team building and travelling aspects involved in this course.

Yes

I have never felt more accepted within a working community as I have since I began at Tarmac. Employees always appear to have their needs considered and the scope for progression seems endless. Whenever I have been stuck or felt out of my depth, I have always been able to find somebody to offer guidance.

Don't be afraid of change! I came from a background in retail and as soon as I received my first call back during the application process, I was thinking "I'm in over my head, this isn't for me, stop now." But each person I spoke to through application made me more and more comfortable, and very soon I was ready to take this new avenue head on. Take advice, take opportunities and ask for help. You'll find all three wherever you look.