Mechanical and Electrical Craft Apprentice Review

During this first year, I spent the first 4 months in college full time, completing a large amount of the first year coursework. We have now started working on site 2 days a week when we have our insight placements. The insight placements involve moving around support departments who will help us to complete our daily tasks in the second and third years. Tasks vary between these placements but they have been an excellent networking opportunity as we are able to shadow many people within a wide range of departments. One of the placements involved carrying out an investigation into the electricity consumption of one of the buildings on site.

Overall the programme has been well structured and allows for a smooth and gradual transition from full time college to on site work. Any questions/queries considering on site work are generally answered quickly and there has been enough advanced notice for any changes to our schedule (such as events and ceremonies we can attend). The structure of the training at college has been unclear at times for specific modules which has lead to confusion, unclear expectations and additional time required to complete coursework. However, other modules were well organised and the expectations were clear.

There is a good amount of support available from my employer for both course-related and non-course-related issues. We are always reminded of the support systems available and the company is encourages a speak-up culture where employees feel safe and able to express their needs and concerns. When our group have expressed concerns they have taken action to improve the situation or put measures in place to ensure that our voices are heard. We have regular 1 to 1 catch-up sessions/reviews where we are able to talk about our concerns on a more in depth level as well as our progress and hopes for careers.

So far, I have been able to complete my course work for my training provider on time and to a standard I am satisfied with. However, there are some modules where it was very difficult to complete the coursework due to unclear expectations and because the content for certain assignments had not been covered. Our assessor has been very approachable when this has happened and has helped to make the resources and information more accessible. There are lecturers from other modules who also offered to help make this work easier. I have found the inconsistent levels of resources, teaching and expectations to be quite difficult to navigate at times however, as previously mentioned, there have been members of staff who I can talk to when I feel overwhelmed or unsure.

The training I have received in college so far has been very applicable to my work and role on site. When I started my insight placements on site in February, I heard a lot of terminology and concepts which I had learned about in college and I was able to apply skills/knowledge I'd learned.

Yes

Airbus have been extremely supportive and encouraging so far. After networking with colleagues from various departments and areas on the site, I've found that many employees feel that they have been supported by Airbus in their work and personal lives with the benefits available to them. Employees are also encouraged to work in an area that interests them and aim to move up/around in the company. They are able to provide the training for them to gain the qualifications necessary to do so as well as support their employees as they find the right role for them. There are so many opportunities to enhance your career. The people I've met have also been really supportive and welcoming and I've always felt safe and able to speak up if I ever needed to.