Interior Surface Centre Projects Apprentice Review

Daily tasks and responsibilities include keeping track of parts in production which are being tested with special processes, or future materials which I am helping to integrate, or am investigating as a project. I am involved with team meetings and keeping others up to date on my progress status. As well as consulting with external suppliers to ensure I have the right equipment for testing, I work with them to develop products suitable for R-RMC use.

Currently, I work full time with R-RMC. There is no split between my time here and at university because I am not at university yet. Originally, the structure would have been alike to any other degree apprenticeship, however, Portsmouth university deferred me and all other starters on that course for a year without my knowledge and the gave late notice. This has led to frustrations in finding a new institution, however, there is now a guaranteed start date back at Portsmouth.

I receive an incredible amount of support from the management and line management at R-RMC. In the beginning, sometimes there was not always appropriate levels of communication regarding the situation with my degree, however this is much improved. Similarly, I receive lots of support in regards to my projects and daily activities, including regular catch ups to discuss progress and how I am dealing with these.

Currently, I do not receive any support from my training provider, as by being deferred for a year, I am not currently at university. This has affected my progress at times, as learning project management hands on is easier said than done, particularly when there is no theory to support my knowledge

Currently, I do not receive any support from my training provider, as by being deferred for a year, I am not currently at university. This has affected my progress at times, as learning project management hands on is easier said than done, particularly when there is no theory to support my knowledge. In time, once I begin this qualification, then I will hopefully be able to underwrite what I currently know within my role and be able to look at project management on a wider scale than my current role.

Yes

Members of your team will always have your best interests at heart. Even though I got off to a slow start with not going to university, I have gained so much knowledge from the people with whom I work and have made great connections across the business. This is especially true with other apprentices - we all network regularly and have a close knit connection as a year group.
The work I do regarding projects is also very rewarding: it is great to see what I am working on erring closer and closer to becoming something implemented within the business - there is nothing to say that this cannot be the case for future apprentices: it has been done many times before!