Electrical Design Engineer Apprentice Review
at Cavendish Nuclear
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Engineering, Graphic Design
Warrington, Cheshire
Review Submitted: April 2021
Overall Rating
3.6 /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
-
Overview of Role
4/5
-
Skills Development
3/5
-
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
I have regular meetings with my team. We discuss the work taking place each day, how we can help each other. Being an apprentice, my development is important to myself and the team. I will complete work ranging from CAD, excel, checking work, teams meetings, documentation and college work. (I attend college on a 1 day a week basis)
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I enjoy my program. I find the work interesting and enjoyable. Occasionally, balancing college work, assignments, deadlines, drawings and project deliverables can be difficult and at times stressful i know how to balance this well. I think that my program will lead me into a good career. I enjoy it.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I have developed my confidence massively. I have learnt how to use excel spreadsheets efficiently and effectively. I have learnt how to use CAD and adapt the design i do to suit my work. (eg setting up layers and sheets and project views) I have also improved my presentation skills.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
My program is well structured. I have regular reviews with my manager, my mentor and my college reviewer. My college program was poorly organised in the first year however it has improved since then. My manager delegates tasks well, and makes sure we all have the support we need to complete the task well.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
I receive lots of support from my employer. My manager provides the most support. The HR team set up lunch and learns, and sessions on motivation and learning, discrimination and others to help us progress further. There is always support available through peers, through our intranet system or through my college.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
I get some support from my training provider. My lessons are good but they are all similarly set out and get get some what monotonous. Especially theory lessons. There isn't much support outside of lessons but the content is enough to complete our assignments well and learn at the same time.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
2/5
My training qualification is good, however i find myself struggling to relate this to work. The work is a similar subject but with the niche nature of my work i struggle to relate my college work directly to it. I still feel i know more about my job role from my qualification
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
3/5
Before COVID times, there were many extra curricular activities ranging from organised running events to social team activities. During covid, there have been more social networking events, and voluntary initiatives to help out the STEM community. Most events or classes now take place at home as restrictions are yet to be lifted.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Cavendish Nuclear to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Cavendish Nuclear is a good company. The 'motto' of people who do the right thing brings out the best in everyone and makes employees really consider how they approach work, how they interact with others and how we carry ourselves. The company has supported my early careers development well since i started.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Cavendish Nuclear?
In your application for an apprenticeship, show how interested you are in whatever you are applying for. The company don't want to take on the candidate with the highest grades unless they are the best candidate. Show you have a natural interest in the subject and show how you spend time outside of work doing it as a hobby
