Maritime defence engineer Review

For my role in Babcock, I have to do maintenance checks and submarines. In this role aswell I'm attending college to develop my skills an apprentice. I'm currently improving my knowledge on and off the job. This allows me to be more efficient when it comes to doing the task.

I have learnt quite a few different skills. Starting off with the basics such as cutting and filing and measuring correctly. I have also developed the skills to machine and manufacture parts to a good quality. I have also became more efficient with carrying out the task at hand. This is usually removal or fitting new parts.

I'm enjoying the program quite a lot. There is plenty of time to be social but there is quite a lot to be learned whilst on the job. There is always something new to talk about or learn. I like developing my skills in engineering, it helps me with my personal life aswell.

It's supposed to be structured and planned well. But there is sometimes obstacles in the way and deadlines are moved around quite a lot. Placements are not as good as they have been in the previous years. And the apprentices do not know what is coming next after there placement.

I receive quite a bit from my employer. Sometimes I feel like I could do with a little bit more on the college side. They are great in the workplace and push you to get the apprenticeship completed. They also push you to strive for greatness and make you feel wanted.

The training provider has its ups and downs. They regularly post different subjects that can be accessed by the the trainees at any time. But there is sometimes confusion and the trainers get things wrong. This rarely happens, but overall I would say they are pretty good. Some additional lessons for the trainees that are struggling should be put in place.

I feel like all of the basics and advanced pieces of information and experience is being transferred to me. I'm constantly developing on my handskills and slowly getting as efficient as the fitters themselves. I also feel like in some cases I know stuff that they don't about engineering but it doesn't apply to the workplace.

There is many different choices of activities to get involved in. They have all sorts of clubs. I'm currently part of the car club in the dockyard and it gives me access to car ramps and tools I usually can not use. This is great as it encourages me to work on my car more.

Yes

Good starting wage and finishing wage. Loads of stuff to learn, and it all transfers over to real world scenarios. Using mathematics to slove issues, using physics to help aid you in different scenarios aswell. Overall its a job for life and you leave the apprenticeship with a qualification and money in the pocket. And the main thing is an employer that wants you to be there.

It's a very hard apprenticeship to get into but we'll worth it. Speak clearly, do research about the company before applying. Talk highly of diversity and health and safety. It also helps if you have a background in what you are applying for. This will show a bit of knowledge in place already.