Mechatronics apprentice Review
at AWE
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Engineering
Aldermaston
Review Submitted: March 2024
Overall Rating
1.8 /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!
1.5/5
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Overview of Role
2/5
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Skills Development
1.8/5
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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:
1/5
mechatronics is supposed to be doing all trades, but we are pushed towards solely electronics because the company is not ready for multi-trade engineers due to policy, procedures and the lack of being able to meet criteria for training.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
2/5
the ability to see what different work each area does and help choose where is my preferred choice.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
2/5
the academy instructors have done there best to provide training even with how understaffed they are.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
1/5
signed up for a 3 year apprenticeship and have been extended for over a year to a 4 / 5 year apprenticeship because the academy is unsure how to meet the criteria for mechatronics including marking the work, they ignore the contract and try to sweep all problems under the rug.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
1/5
we have had discussions with lots of management throughout the business. The support you receive in some areas is incredible but this is not the case in the academy where problems are ignored until management from outside the academy get involves.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
1/5
Went to Reading college, which was terrible, gave feedback weekly on how bad it was but always told it was on us to change things. several teachers were fired because of how bad learning was but AWE still pushes to use them. All they care is you passing and not teaching you anything
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
1/5
Reading college has provided nothing with their death by power point, the academy has some good instructors but are to overworked and understaffed to give the attention to detail that is needed.
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
The company is always trying to do stuff for charity and the local community.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend AWE to a friend?
No
Why?
The company in my opinion is for a fantastic relaxed later career, where work life balance is important, but the apprenticeship is poorly run, which has resulted in the delay of numerous apprenticeships and caused serious stress to me and my peers. This is not somewhere i would recommend for training of learning, but somewhere to go once you achieved the experience you desire in the field you wish to follow.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to AWE?
Do not apply for the mechatronics apprenticeship
