Advanced Technical Engineer Apprentice Review

At Cummins Inc. I am contracted as an Advanced Technical Engineering Apprentice, under the Darlington Technical Operations facility. Whilst onsite, my apprenticeship is structured around various departments which I rotate within, with the aim of increasing my engineering knowledge. These departments include: Product Engineering, The Pilot Centre, Customer Engineering, Value Package Information Build (VPI), Health and Safety (H&S), Design, The Emissions Solutions, Applied Mechanics, Test Engineering/Technology (Facilities) and the Test Operations (cells) facility. On completion of my programme I am able to decide which department was best suited to me and this is where I will be allowed to fulfil a full time professional career within the company. Whilst in each department I have many various tasks to carry out. I am provided with a digital skills matrix to complete, which lists the criteria I must meet in the department and how I've achieved it. It also covers the day to day tasks, training and support for other engineers working in that area. Whilst in product engineering these tasks include, component evaluation and validation, alongside using the theory behind mechanical principles to solve the engineering problems that arise onsite. You must also constantly updating drawings so that they are fit for each individual purpose. You also become involved in change control when revisions to components need to be manufactured. The process is all about making the integration of the new component to come in smoothly and phasing out the old product. When in the Pilot Centre based department, you gain experience with the mechanical and electrical vehicle systems actually installed in the vehicles. You deal with the customers frequently, offering customer support, so you may get to travel to customer sites, so that you meet the specifications to the highest of standards and qualities. This is done by regularly taking measurements of the engine whilst out in the field and ensuring that the conditions of the engine are controlled. When in the Customer Engineering department you must constantly work alongside the customer, looking at the new designs they propose. There are many chances to get involved with international conferences calls and it is your responsibility to look for faults or things that may cause concern in the design of the engine. These comments then get sent back to the customer and they either justify the issue or make alterations to their design so that specifications are met. In the VPI build area, the main day-to-day tasks include working with proto-type engines. Cummins products in this area are constantly built and torn down so that you can take various measurements on the components using a variety of techniques. In this area you also learn how to assemble cylinder heads. In the H&S department it is my job to understand the responsibility and foundations of HSE (the local authority as well as being able to carry out hazard identification in the workplace alongside risk assessments. It is sometimes that you may be given projects to work on in this area too. In the design role, I am able to gain experience with CAD and do various jobs within that department. In the emissions solutions section it is my responsibility to track engineering support software and increase my awareness of mechanical and electrical systems. Whilst in this rotation I will also extend on my knowledge of chemistry and catalyst systems. In Applied Mechanics the job is similar to that of the Pilot Centre in that you are carrying out projects for customers. In Facilities the job consists of programming the engine testing software used in the cells, as well as calibrating the software and measuring conditions on the engine measurement technology. Finally, in the Test Operations department you are based in both the test cells and control room. In here you become involved in engine rigging, running tests on the engines in the cells area, engine installation, engine tear down and rebuild and data analysis of the limits and results the tests provide.

The programme to date has showed evidence that it is very well structured. It began with a informative induction covering the corporate policies, code of conduct, how we would spend our time and the health and safety on site. We have received a rotation plan in the spread sheet format informing us which departments we are in and at what time. It also informs us of the duration of that rotation and who you must report to. There are various opportunities to flag concerns as the company has made it mandatory that there is a weekly apprentice meeting. However, alongside this Cummins work by having bi-monthly appraisals/reviews with managers and the leadership team. This looks at how you are progressing and coping with life as an apprentice and gives you an opportunity to ask any questions or for support. The company has provided us will laptops so that we are able to contact them both on and offsite and most managers are very quick in their response to help answer any queries. In each department you are assigned with someone who acts as your mentor and work buddy, so they are at your disposal the majority of the time which is very beneficial. As previously stipulated we are provided with matrix sheets which cover what criteria we must and are expected to meet. This offers a guidance of how to conduct your day-today tasks and is helpful in terms of its structure as it can be used as a check-list essentially.

My employer is extremely helpful in terms of the support they offer. In the monthly reviews, if you flag up a concern about a certain topic or department they can assign you to specialist individuals, with in-depth knowledge in that area or subject which will help you through your concerns. Likewise, as previously covered, the company provided us with laptops so that we have easy access to all members off staff and the management team. I've had members of the management team who have told me not to hesitate contacting them. Even if they don't initially know the answer, they have told me that they will do their own independent research and dig out resources they have at their disposal to try and assist myself. This is in addition to the weekly scheduled meetings they arrange for all apprentices with a member of the HR team to discuss the general progression of all apprentices both in our departments and educational studies. They were significantly supportive during the recent COVID-19 pandemic, allowing the apprentices to work from home wherever possible.

We have recently changed training providers to Derwentside College. They usually attend Cummins site on a weekly basis to conduct HNC lectures for the apprentices. However, due to COVID-19 these have now ceased and the support and contact in the current climate is limited. Hopefully this will improve and they can ensure that we are back up to speed with our qualification once this situation has improved.

The HNC is very effective in your performance within an apprentice role, as it educates you on the fundamentals of thermodynamics, which we are exposed to within the testing environment. This helps us to understand the theory and techniques used to monitor the engine and means we can apply it to really working life tasks. It helps us to understand the relationships between different forms of energy’s being used within the process. The qualification is also beneficial as it teaches you how to sufficiently document, conduct and log coherently, a project you have been assigned, relative to the business. This helps with the planning and approach to finishing projects assigned by our manager. Likewise, the HNC can probe you to think creatively through the use of its engineering design module, which coincides with how Cummins products and processes are constantly evolved. As a Technical Engineer apprentice, we are exposed to both mechanical and electrical technologies and equipment – we must be multi-skilled. The HNC has two units which cover both elements in detail, which is therefore very effective as it ensures that you understand the theoretical principles of both disciplines and how they function. All engineers are renowned for using quantities and numerical values, calculations are made all the time when testing, design and validating engines. The HNC is heavily mathematical based, which is obviously essential in an engineer’s role, to understand how to derive equations and calculations which we can then base ideas off or generate conclusions from, to make our product more reliable and efficient.
In addition to this the NVQ qualification which runs alongside the above is also very effective for our job role. As an apprentice it is key that we document and log the jobs we part-take in and produce evidence of photos and progress, to demonstrate our constant learning and understanding. The NVQ ensures we do this, as it compels us to form in depth job write ups for our portfolio. Likewise, as an engineer it is also imperative to plan, prepare and carry out all tasks safely. The NVQ is therefore very effective as it requires us to obtain all documentation and preparation materials/measures before conducting a job. The NVQ involves practical competency assessment and makes sure we are doing our job thoroughly to a high standard and makes sure we have the hands-on skills, as well as this theory, which again is very effective and important in our role.

Yes

Cummins is a global power lead based in more than 190 countries, making it a very successful distributor, manufacturer and supplier of diesel engines. Working for such a company has given me an invaluable opportunity to work with professionals within Cummins Engines. They are a lead edge organisation which are producing innovative and new technology at all times. This makes all aspects of the job significantly interesting. Being part of a global company is truly rewarding, both for the personal benefits they provide you with and how you supply a product that many people rely on and has shaped our world today. Cummins are a very caring company and look after all employees thorough and it is this reason I cannot emphasise how much I recommend them as an employer.