Draughtsperson Review
at NATS
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Engineering
Whiteley
Review Submitted: March 2021
Overall Rating
4.1 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4.5/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
3.6/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
As A Draughtsperson I work on technical drawings using CAD (Computer aided design). These drawings are used throughout the company and frequently need altering/ updating. In a typical day I will complete multiple drawings that other employees may request, giving me a variety of insight into different projects.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I very much enjoy my apprenticeship as it allows me to gain new qualifications and further my career. Not to mention that I am being paid too, which won me over to take an apprenticeship over going to university.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
My apprenticeship has vastly improved my CAD skills and my understanding of technical drawings. It has also taught me new skills like doing 3d scans and site surveying.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
My programme is very well structured with 4 days a week working at my workplace and 1 day learning at the training centre. This helps break up the week and ensures I do not miss out on different projects that "block release" would otherwise do. The 8 hour day with a 1 hour lunch break included, helps me adapt to my new setting as it can be a vast change to college.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
If I am ever struggling or have questions about my apprenticeship I can always email or call my line manager (or apprenticeship handler) to resolve any issues I may have. Other forms of support such as employee handbooks are also available for online viewing.
The only lack of support and the reason I gave this a score of 7 is due to covid19 and it's uncertainty it has placed around everyone moving forward.
The only lack of support and the reason I gave this a score of 7 is due to covid19 and it's uncertainty it has placed around everyone moving forward.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
My training provider informs me of what I need to do in order to obtain the qualification like how many hours of "off the job" training I need and what course work needs doing when. The support is lacking when learning remotely but that is understandable due to the circumstances.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
It teaches me new things both related to my role and to the roles surrounding me like electronics. Although I do not do any electronics, I do created circuit drawings and schematics, in which it is incredibly useful to know what wires are which colour and what each component looks like. This allows me to do my job quicker, making less mistakes where I have to make alterations to the drawing.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
There are multiple social and sports activities being organised all the time for employees. There is also a gym in the workplace that you can use. As for professional networking events, Nats frequently do talks and attend career fairs at schools and colleges which allow students to see Nats as a potential employer.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend NATS to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I have only seen good things at Nats as they are such a great employer. They always inform employees of what is going on throughout the company and everyone feels they a place within the company. Despite this being my first job, thus Meaning I have nothing to compare it to, I have certainly heard worse else where which is enough for me to be incredibly great full for the job I have.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to NATS?
Try to act professionally and have a deep knowledge of the job you are going for. Do not feel you have to have a love of all things aviation to like working here. Try to get your CV up to date and have a valid passport or other form of ID. Should you get to interview be sure to know a case study relating to your role and any presentations you may have done.
