Apprentice Trimmer Review

My role includes cutting and sewing patterns to make parts for the airline industry such as crew mattresses and seat parts. I am also required to repair existing seats by using glue spraying techniques, and eventually to cut foam and to trim aircraft parts including arm rests and seat trays.

I have learnt many new skills during my time with Airline Services. I am now proficient on an industrial sewing machine and overlocker. I have also used a pattern cutter and I hope to be trained on all of the available machines by the end of my apprenticeship. There has been extensive training on the use for the glue spray guns when I am scrimping the faulty seat foams.

I really enjoy the variety of work that comes into the trim shop, as well as the knowledge that I have been fortunate to receive. The people that I work with have all been friendly, helpful and patient with me. My tutor from the Growth Company has been brilliant in guiding me through my course material.

My programme has been organised so that I am learning new skills in bite sized chunks, this stops me from being overwhelmed with all the new information that I need to take on board. There is a plan with where I will fit in at the end of my training.

My employer has been very supportive from the start of my programme. They are happy to teach me as much as I would like to learn, showing patience and understanding when I struggle to pick new information up straight away. I know that I can ask questions whenever I need to without feeling like I am a nuisance.

My training provider has been brilliant. He has guided me through all of my coursework in a very friendly and organised manner, I would have struggled with some of it without being able to share regular feedback with him. Thanks to Terrys help, I have finished all of my coursework within 6 months, with only my professional conversation and observation left to complete.

My qualification is in lean manufacturing, it helps me to improve my job processes on a daily basis as well as giving me a better understanding of what is expected of me in a manufacturing environment. I am more aware of the need to keep proper records of my work, as well as looking for small improvements to make to my role to improve my output.

There are no extra-curricular activities at the moment at my work. However the company is just recovering its work force after being hit heavily by the lockdown caused by covid, so this could change in the future. The workforce are all very nice people , who are easy to get on with.

Yes

I would recommend this company to a friend because there are opportunities to advance and change roles within the company. There are also many opportunities to do overtime if you would like to. It is a friendly place and the work seems to be picking up quickly after the covid pandemic.

I would advise anyone looking to apply to this company to be open with the employer with the things you would like to learn. Not only will they ensure that the role is a good fit for you, they will encourage you where possible to push yourself to achieve the best in yourself.