Higher Level Naval Architect Review

Item: Higher Level Naval Architect at Babcock International Group
Rating: 4.1
Author: Anonymous

at Babcock International Group

Higher Level Apprenticeship

Engineering

Plymouth

Review Submitted: March 2023

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!

5/5 - Overview of Role

5/5 - Skills Development

3.4/5 - 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 have chosen the placement I want to go into which is non-destructive testing. On a daily basis I will be inspecting welds using liquid penetrant inspection and magnetic particle inspection. Once a job is complete I will then complete a report which will tell production if the job has passed or failed.

To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

5/5

I thoroughly enjoy my program as it allowed me to choose which section I wanted to go into. This allowed me to learn about different areas in the company to then make an informed decision, ultimately giving me a better, more informed opinion in my career. There are also a lot of learning opportunities in the section I choose.

Skills Development

Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

5/5

I have improved my communication skills by being placed in different sections in the yard. It has allowed me to interact with new people. I have also learned practical skills in non-destructive testing such as how to perform liquid penetrant inspections and magnetic particle inspection. I am currently learning about ultrasonic testing.

Structure and Support

How well organised/structured is your programme?

3/5

The program is slightly improving its structure. I originally joined for a level 5 course however in the second year they said that we were only going to be completing a level 4, however the company managed to get our year through a level 5. The EPA however is a new concept and the company don't know what the exam board expect.

How much support do you receive from your employer?

5/5

I receive a lot of support in my section. There are always people who are willing to teach me new non-destructive testing methods. The support whilst learning new techniques is very helpful and they provide textbooks on the methods. This helps as I can read about the practical techniques I am learning.

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

3/5

The college provide a fair amount of support, however can sometimes lack giving help. This is due to the fact that they see our course as a self learning course where we have to research the objectives ourselves, meaning that we have to support ourselves. Sometimes a little more support would be helpful.

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

2/5

The qualification that I am earning through my training provider does not help me perform better in my role as none of the objectives in college relate to the section I am in. This does mean that when I am qualified I probably wont use the HNC I am working towards.

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

The section that I have joined occasionally have extra-curricular activities. The most recent one was a 5 aside football tournament. Throughout the year they host golf tournaments and other sports events. However I do not participate I just watch. There are also retirement dos to attend which allows me to meet other people in the section.

Recommendations & Advice

Would you recommend Babcock International Group to a friend?

Yes

Why?

Babcock provide a very good salary with a lot of company benefits. They also provide a lot of learning opportunities which is very useful as it allows you to expand your knowledge. Babcock is also a very well known and respected company which are known for treating their employees right.

What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Babcock International Group?

The only advice I can give to others joining Babcock is to dress presentable and be honest in your interview. I did not have to attend the team building day due to COVID however, make sure you try your hardest to work in a team and communicate as it shows you can work with others.

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