Mechanical Engineer Apprentice Review

My role as an apprentice mechanical engineer requires me to take part in a full-time college course for my first year. During this first year, we rotate around three different sections learning about hand skills, diesel engines and machine tools. We complete several projects within each section and write up a comprehensive report for each one. We also study towards out city and guilds qualifications.

I have learnt lots of new skills during this first year as an apprentice. It was my first tie manufacturing something using only hand skills and it was my first time stripping down a large diesel engine and learning how to put it back together. I am now starting to learn about machine tools and working towards making a model engine from what I have learnt.

I enjoy my programme so far. There are lots of opportunities to learn new things and push my limits. Spending the first year in full-time education has really helped to build the basics of my role before entering into the workplace. This means we get to learn how to safely do a job without picking up bad habits.

my programme comes across as very structured and laid out. Although only in my first year of the apprenticeship, I can tell there has been a lot of thought about what we need to cover in order to fit into our work when we have finished. The organisation of the college has hit a few bumpy roads this year but they have seemed to recover well.

Our employer gives us lots of training during the times the college is not open, for example, half terms and teacher training days. My only comment for improvement would be that I would like to see more impact from our employer instead of just the college. It can seem very distant from our employer when spending our first year in full-time education.

The college is very good at providing all the support we need to help us pass the qualification. I have managed to easily get additional support for my dyslexia and my tutors have always been available via email or face to face if any problems or questions come up. They have been very supportive during the college term times.

The qualification is a useful addition to the role because it has taught me the very basics of the job role that I will be going into. It has also touched on a few other roles so that we can get a sense of what other people do at the same workplace.

As we are not yet in the workplace it is hard to answer this question with my employer in mind. However, there does seem to be lots of social activities involved with the college and their student union. We have not yet been told about any extracurricular activities about our employer if there are some.

Yes

Babcock seems to hold the best reputation within the local area. They appear to focus on their workforce and like to support them in any way they can. This apprenticeship has been good so far and I have learned a lot. I think many people could benefit from this apprenticeship and employer.

My number one tip for applying for Babcock is to knuckle down and make sure you focus on the work. there is a lot to learn and if you want an easy ride then you will find yourself falling behind and struggling to keep up. that being said there are lots of opportunities to enjoy yourself and excel at the same time.