Apprentice Engineer Review

I shadow engineers with their duties when out of college, attend college during term times completing units to ensure completion of the course. I will perform more simplistic duties due to my current qualification level such as greasing machines, replacing seals, checking fluid levels along with any other tasks assigned to me that day by any superiors.

Due to the level of qualification I'm currently working through there are less skill development opportunities as I have previous higher qualifications in the area. I did disassemble and reassemble a diesel train engine which was something | had not done previously, through this I gained a deeper understanding of internal combustion engines.

As I am currently going to college to receive a lesser qualification than I currently have I am not particularly enjoying the job so far. The institute that I am training at is appalling, with a complete inability to manage their time or safe guard students from lecturers acting outside of what is acceptable.

Due to only having experience the first year that includes working full time at the college the only structure | have experience in relation to the program is the training providers. Their program structure is awful with the vast majority of knowledge being through self teaching and online searches as their lecturers fail to provide the knowledge themselves.

My employer is typically pretty good with providing support with the supervisors happy to answer questions and the HR department willing to aid me when struggling with. While my supervisors are helpful they do seem reluctant or impatient at times due to myself being an apprentice and them having jobs to get on with.

The support provided is primarily non existent with the majority of the information or knowledge for the qualification being acquired solely by the apprentices on the course, they attempt to treat us as unemployed school children even attempting to break our rights as employees asking apprentices to continue working when off sick.

The level 2 foundation competency in manufacturing engineering is generally quite useless as the knowledge and units we are required to do are just explaining knowledge that was acquired during key stage 2 and 3 education in secondary school. Furthermore due to the largest employer in the area being Babcock we are learning more about marine engineering and roles than what our role in manufacturing engineering actually entail.

There are groups within the business that go to rugby games and such to spend time together outswide3 of work, there are also the typical activities outside of work. This allows for better team cohesion more efficient communication within the departments developing your workplace relationships, this reduced down times due to the increase of communication.

Yes

It is a large organisation which allows for wider progression and development opportunities for their employees while also allowing for freedom of living location as you can transfer to a different site. The employment is very stable with lots of opportunities for different job roles and with some of the best pay rates in the area of the country.

Avoid doing any education in engineering on your own as the qualifications you acquire will be disregarded as you either still don't have enough experience or did not complete the course they are connected to requiring you to repeat large aspects of your education. This is due to the company wanting to acquire government grants.