Engineering Higher Apprentice Review
at Cavendish Nuclear
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Cumbria, UK
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
3.8 /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!
3.5/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
3.4/5
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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
I create designs and drawings to meet clients' given specifications, using mechanical based calculations to assist in creating functional equipment. On a day-to-day basis I often spend time 3D modelling, creating drawings and developing documents like technical specifications and risk assessments. Additionally, I spend ~8-9 hours per week doing off-the-job college work, which includes both mechanical and electrical science and mathematics.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
I find the working side of my programme very enjoyable - I am doing work that I enjoy, and creating innovative solutions to problems I am faced with feels rewarding. My only complaints with the programme is more on the off-the-job training side, as at times the learning can feel very non-linear or confusing, and the Early Careers team as there has been a few instances of miscommunication.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
My familiarity with the software I use has vastly improved while working with Cavendish - I can confidently use many features of Inventor and other CAD software which I originally was not aware of before joining the company. Talking to the senior mechanical engineers has been incredibly helpful in the development of my skills and has been the way I have learned the majority of my skills.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
2/5
Following from the previous complaints, off-the-job training at Lakes College can occasionally feel oddly over/underwhelming in the information we are taught, as well as issues with linearity in the learning scheme. Within the company, the Early Careers team have struggled to organise the developmental review properly at times, causing new apprentices to have to completely reorganise and recall previous working to update a new review.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
Despite previous complaints, the Early Careers team is very understanding and helpful when inquiring about anything related to the development review process, and provide the apprentices with plenty of supportive material for their development. On a more personal level, I do not receive an exceptional amount of support from my line manager but this is okay for me as I know what I need to be doing - this will differ on a person-to-person basis however.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
The lecturers at Lakes College are very willing to assist in our understanding of the working, but as we're on a work day release it can be difficult to fit any demonstrated assistance we might need into the single day, however a lot of the scheme is based on our own learning so we are expected to develop on areas we struggle with on our own.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
At the moment, there is not a significant amount of overlap in my off-the-job learning with what I need to utilise at the moment, however as I encounter new projects and learn more in mechanical science in the future, this will likely be much more prevalent in helping me to perform better.
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
As an Early Careers member at Cavendish, every apprentice must sign up with STEM.org as a STEM ambassador and attend at least 37 hours of STEM events yearly, which can range from online webinars to in-person careers fairs. There are also plenty of social activities and professional networking opportunities available.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Cavendish Nuclear to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Though there are some minor flaws, Cavendish has been a great company to work for thus far, being an incredible way to develop my skills with CAD and my SQEP competencies. Personally, I find the company and my colleagues in my office to be a very comfortable environment and I find the work I do very enjoyable.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Cavendish Nuclear?
Expect some slowness in the first few months, especially in the North West area - as we have one main work supplier the work we have to do is quite as-and-when.
The Early Careers team issues may not be the same each year, as the development review scheme has changed very recently, so by the time you work here the issues I have had might not apply - take it with a pinch of salt.
The Early Careers team issues may not be the same each year, as the development review scheme has changed very recently, so by the time you work here the issues I have had might not apply - take it with a pinch of salt.
