Apprentice Engineer Review
at Nestlé
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Engineering
Wisbech
Review Submitted: March 2022
Overall Rating
4 /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!
3.5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
3.8/5
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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
On the job training working with your mentor and other team members to complete maintenance activities and/or fix breakdowns and make adjustments. Having professional discussions and interactions with those at all levels helping you build good relationships with new and existing colleagues from multiple departments.
Completing college work when you can fit it in but time can be set aside if you prefer to. College blocks arranged and stay away in Liverpool all Nestle UK Apprentices attend the same college so you get to meet, work and live with the other apprentices from sites around the UK expanding your network of knowledgeable people.
Completing college work when you can fit it in but time can be set aside if you prefer to. College blocks arranged and stay away in Liverpool all Nestle UK Apprentices attend the same college so you get to meet, work and live with the other apprentices from sites around the UK expanding your network of knowledgeable people.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
Day to day it is enjoyable. You need to have self-discipline and be able to manage your own time and work. You will need to cultivate good relationships with your colleagues and help each other out. Sometimes people speak down to you just because your an apprentice and this is not helped as you are clearly differentiated by the trainee hat you must wear. College is hard work but a generally very enjoyable experience.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Building upon previous experience and knowledge consistently. Learning the site, equipment and method from those around you and from SMP's (Standard maintenance procedures) where they are available. College teaches you skills and knowledge which can then be practised and developed onsite, as well as the training provided by the company both internally (analysis tools, abrasive wheels, etc.) and externally (confined spaces, kuka robots, etc.) there is plenty to learn.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
1/5
We were given a plan at the start of the apprenticeship but this has changed so many times I am unsure of where we are now. The units we are gonna study get moved around and no previous years or years below follow the same structure as you. Your colleagues will spend different amounts of time with different departments and you are not always put in an area where you can practice the exact skill you need to. College have changed this around when we have arrived from what we were told prior to travelling. Exams have been moved and blocks at college have been shortened. Overall very poor organisation on both sides.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
Nestle pay for us to stay up at the college and travel there. We have access to computers and now we have been given laptops. We can rely on out mentors to teach us and guide us through tasks. My line manager is always contactable if I need them and I can rely on getting a reply quickly by email if it is their working hours or within a few days if not and available to call if it is urgent. Other staff and managers are happy to talk to you and guide if needed.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
When at college they are amazing they will go out of their way to teach you and get you teaching materials and get you ready for assessments/write ups. However, when not at college they are slow to replay and marking takes forever. No-one turns you away or refuses to support you but it can take a bit of chasing to get things done.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
We are taught valuable skills and knowledge which can be directly transferred and used within the workplace. We get industry knowledge passed down from professionals who have actually worked in engineering environments prior to being a tutor. Electrical training is a prominent one to point out as we are multi-skilled and the work we do in college really prepares you for the much larger more complex systems in the workplace.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
At my site there is a sports and social club you can join which gets you discounts and arranges events and prize draws. I have been out and played football with my colleagues from shift on a few occasions. I have spent time out with other apprentices and we've had a laugh and generally its very enjoyable place to work if you put the effort in to make those relationships.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Nestlé to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The training is very good. The money is very good, especially the engineering apprenticeship money compared to other places. It is a very large company with many opportunities to diversify and move up if you want to. The company does seem to want to move forward and improve and it needs more young people to do that.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Nestlé?
If you are willing to put the time and effort in then they will reward you for that. If you are looking for and easy, bare-minimum placement then don't bother. You have to push yourself and manage yourself if not then you will fall behind. Re-search into the company and brands, understand the role you are applying for and know it is what you want to do.
