Engineering Degree Apprenticeship Review

In the first year of my apprenticeship, we design and make a first year project, which is an educational STEM activity. We design this from scratch and use arduinos and raspberry pis to create it. We then take this event to science fairs and schools to talk to people about the apprenticeship and get people interested in engineering.

I have certainly developed my people and communication skills. By being in a workplace, I am learning skills and gaining experience that I wouldn't have from just going to uni. I have met 100s of people already which really boosted my confidence when talking to people. I also gained some financial skills when budgeting for the first year project.

I would say that I thoroughly enjoy my apprenticeship but don't enjoy the uni aspect. Going to work and getting hands on with engineering projects is really fun and exciting as you get to work on things that go out into the real world. However uni days are long and boring and feel less benifical.

It is fairly well organised. It is designed to treat you like adults and sometimes you have to be proactive to make sure you are constantly developing. It is good though as there are set tasks and goals we have to do within the year, but we also get to use our initative to orhganise goiong to view what people do on site.

I reccieve lots of support. I have regular meetings with my manager nad with my training coordinater from uni/college. If I ever struggle I can go to my manager or anyone else on the appreticeship scheme to assist me. They are also very friendly and welcoming which makes it easy to go to them.

We have quaterly tri-partite reviews where we discuss how university is going and any problems we have. We have raised concerns about hte university course and these have then been fowarded on and then dealt with / improved. They also help with personal development and check up on your mental health and wellbeing

I fell that my qualification is somewhat useful. The uni work gives me a good understanding of how electronic systems operate, but, work is a lot more practical and hands on, and doesn't require me to use lots of knowledge, so in this way uni isn't helpful. I feel like I learn more beneficcal things at work than uni.

Yep, with my colleagues I have already been out drinking, and have gone go-karting twice. I have made friends that partake in similar sports to me and we regularly meet, although this isn't properly organized. I have also played football with work colleagues with happens regularly and is well organised.

Yes

The work environment is really nice and I never have problems with other employees. I learn lots at work and can develop a wide range of skills while working here. Any problems I have are taken seriously and are dealt with in an effective way. The pay is also quite nice :)

You don't have to have the best grades, but you need to show you are interested, enthusiastic and active. They really like to see extra-curricular activites, sporting events and thins like D of E as these make you stand out from people who just go to school and college and dont do anything else