Higher laboratory Apprentice Review

I am a higher apprentice in the laboratories at Tara Steel. Currently I am working in the analytical lab where we test raw materials, waters and by products. As a higher apprentice I work on projects in the lab. For example, my first project was to develop a method for the extraction of oil in water.

I have developed a huge variety of skills! As a practical learner I have built on my technical skills both from work place training with in the lab and at Gower College. The apprenticeship has given me a vast amount of opportunity which has developed my confidence as well as communication and listening.

I enjoy being a higher apprentice at Tata Steel UK as every day is different and I am constantly developing my learning. Everyone I am surrounded by are friendly and willing to help. One of my favourite things being in work is the people and being able to learn practically.

The apprenticeship in the laboratory is supposed to be based on a 6 month rotation in each lab in port Talbot however I have not yet rotated to the next laboratory. I am however in the process of having inductions, mask fittings and completing courses to rotate to the next lab.

I receive a lot of support from my employer as well as college tutors, the NVQ assessor and colleagues. Everyone is always happy to help eachother and I know that I can go to someone if I have a problem or concern. The college tutors are very helpful and will help whenever you email them.

The NVQ assessor and college tutors are very helpful and provide a lot of support. We get given assessments briefs with everything written on there and what we need to include in our work for a distinction. They are always happy to help whether that be in person, teams, video call or email.

I feel that the qualifications I get helps me to perform better in my role as I have learned a lot of technical skills in college whixh I can apply to work. For example, in college we used the method of solvent separation which applied to my project in work.

I have got involved in a lot of extra activities in work. I have helped with interviews in work so I can see for myself how to score well in an interview, attended apprenticeship open evenings to talk to people interested in apprenticeships, I have interviewed for new higher and standard apprenticeships, won silver at the Welsh Skills competition, competing at WorldSkills and I have been asked the join the board of Magnet as the Apprentice Officer.

Yes

I have gained a lot of skills which I would not have at university. I have built by technical skills as well as personal skills. I have had so many opportunities from doing the higher apprenticeship which I wouldn’t have believed I would be doing a year ago. Doing an apprenticeship is the best decision I made.

You got to be organised as you need to balance work and college and NVQ work. The college work is easy if you are organised as there is just a lot of it such as reports and writing up diary’s for the NVQ. Also always ask for help when you need it as everyone is always willing to help.