Quality Apprentice Review

Item: Quality Apprentice at Tarmac
Rating: 4.5
Author: Anonymous

at Tarmac

Higher Level Apprenticeship

Construction

Buxton, Derbyshire

Review Submitted: February 2022

Overall Rating

4.5 /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!

5/5 - Overview of Role

4/5 - Skills Development

4/5 - Structure and Support

Overview of Role

Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

5/5

I test materials and cementitious products manufactured on site using standard determination. The results generated will give a full picture of the guality of the product, as well as reporting what alterations need to be made to ensure a continued high standard of output. There is also a careful focus on health and safety which must be maintained by all employees.

To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

5/5

I had no idea of what to expect when entering into the programme, but I have been pleasantly surprised by the support I have received from the team. I have enjoyed exploring an entirely different working environment from what I have experienced before and look forward to completing the programme for that real sense of achievement.

Skills Development

Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

4/5

I have been able to build on pre-existing skills using programmes such as microsoft excel to produce spreadsheets for conveying information to colleagues.
This role has allowed me to begin developing communication skills unique to this setting, where I am able to manage my day around not only the tasks that I need to perform, but also those working around me to ensure we all finish our jobs for the day.

Structure and Support

How well organised/structured is your programme?

5/5

I have found the programme to be very well organised, I am given dates for university tutorials and off-site visits well in advance so that I can make preparations and I have regular one to one meetings with my line manager to discuss strengths, improvements and goals to work towards.

How much support do you receive from your employer?

4/5

I have received plenty of support from my employer, any questions I have regarding matters I am unsure about will always be met with an answer. I am supplied with all of the resources needed to carry out my apprenticeship and have been met with nothing but flexibility whenever there are clashes in schedules.

How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

4/5

For the most part I am able to get in touch with university tutors when I have a query regarding a piece of coursework, although it can often be difficult determining who I am best contacting relating to specific subjects.
I also have regular reviews with tutors where I can bring up any issues I may be experiencing.

How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

4/5

I have been able to apply a lot of my learning to my work place, particularly regarding health and safety procedures. There have also been benefits of learning about the chemical composition of products manufactured on site as I am able to identify problems or areas of improvement which I would otherwise have overlooked.

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

Aside from the usual gatherings for occasions such as Christmas, I am not too aware of any additional activities available at my work. Although, as part of my apprenticeship programme I am enrolled in a core skills development course which focuses on group activities, exercises and networking; I'm looking forward to the team building and travelling aspects involved in this course.

Recommendations & Advice

Would you recommend Tarmac to a friend?

Yes

Why?

I have never felt more accepted within a working community as I have since I began at Tarmac. Employees always appear to have their needs considered and the scope for progression seems endless.
Whenever I have been stuck or felt out of my depth, I have always been able to find somebody to offer guidance.

What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Tarmac?

Don't be afraid of change! I came from a background in retail and as soon as I received my first call back during the application process, I was thinking "I'm in over my head, this isn't for me, stop now."
But each person I spoke to through application made me more and more comfortable, and very soon I was ready to take this new avenue head on.
Take advice, take opportunities and ask for help. You'll find all three wherever you look.

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