Apprentice Welder Review

My role as an apprentice is learning through repeated practical application which is required to become a skilled welder. Generally, we do all our health and safety checks within our workspace and then use supplies provided to us to practice whilst getting input from more skilled instructors who can tell us what we need to do to improve.

Yes. I’ve spent the last few months predominantly learning welding, however, within that I’ve learnt other skills which are applied alongside. Some of these would be grinding, metal preparation, metal cleaning and health and safety. I have also developed existing skills such as my social skills and working alongside people I don’t know very well.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the programme and the opportunity to learn skills I wouldn’t be able to to the same level anywhere else. It is building excitement for my future alongside goals and achievements I want to reach throughout my career. I am also excited to be able to practically apply the skills I have learnt so far.

Whilst I believe the apprenticeship programme must have a set structure and is organised at the point of planning, due to the company being so large, there are some areas lacking in communication and so, resulting in confusion from myself and other apprentices as to what we will be doing in the near future.

As apprentices, we receive a lot of support from the employers at the college that is providing our training. As expected, this is from few people working for Babcock as we are not currently in the Babcock workplace, however, the people who are put in place to support myself and others, are doing a good job of it.

I receive a lot of support from my training provider in a few forms. Firstly, they are very good at explaining the set procedures for the processes we are expected to complete. Secondly, you can see that they care about how well we do which I believe is valuable as it feels as if we are looking after and that people want us to do well. And finally, they are strict with the expectations surrounding the quality of work, they do not shrug mistakes off as a way of making their job easier, they really care and want us to do well.

I feel that the qualification, through my training provider, allows me to have hands on practice at the skills my apprenticeship are built around whilst having more experienced instructors happy to guide us along the journey toward success. This is helpful compared to people just trained in teaching the topic as they can give advice they have personally needed to use throughout their career.

The college provides a range of extra-curricular activities such as sports, clubs or meet-ups for several people with similar interest. I think this is so vital in making quite a daunting place feel more accepting of everybody, no matter their interests. Additionally, the opportunity to meet people with similar interests can help build relationships which many people find very difficult.

Yes

I would definitely recommend Babcock to a friend as I believe they provide the best training in any apprenticeship within the area and to such a high quality. Additionally, the support from everybody involved in making the apprenticeship happen is so comforting and I believe that anybody could get involved and do well.

One thing I have noticed about Babcock compared to other apprenticeships in the area is that the stigma around apprenticeships being an easy way to get a qualification with colleagues who commonly mess around does not apply to Babcock. The entire company and structure of the apprenticeship is very professional but also very hard work and so, my only piece of advice is that if you are wanting to use Babcock as a path to get the qualification and kickstart a career, you need to be prepared to go above and beyond with the effort your going to put in.