Engineering Apprentice Review
at Babcock International Group
Level 2 Apprenticeship
Engineering
Halton, Buckinghamshire
Review Submitted: April 2025
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!
3.5/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
3.6/5
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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:
3/5
I work as a machinist at Babcock, where no two days are ever the same. My responsibilities vary widely—from re-fastening signs to crafting specialised equipment like five-legged tripods, aptly named 'penta-pods,' for our customers. I have also had the opportunity to take the lead on projects, such as designing and manufacturing small wooden supports for racking systems and creating a locking mechanism for a hitch to prevent unauthorised towing of equipment. This variety keeps my role both challenging and rewarding as it allows me to gain experience working with all the different trades.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
My work colleagues have been instrumental in helping me transition smoothly into the professional world. I enjoy a great rapport with my manager, as we can share a laugh while also discussing any serious issues I may face. Everyone at work is always willing to support me, and their guidance has been invaluable in tackling the new responsibilities of adult life that I hadn't encountered before. I particularly appreciate the variety of tasks and the opportunity to collaborate with different trades, which not only keeps the job exciting but also helps me build a diverse portfolio of work and gain a competitive edge.
College has also been a positive part of my journey. I've made a few good friends along the way, and the tutors have been consistently supportive. While communication between my workplace and the college could use significant improvement, the transition to a new college representative, following the previous one changing roles, was handled very smoothly.
College has also been a positive part of my journey. I've made a few good friends along the way, and the tutors have been consistently supportive. While communication between my workplace and the college could use significant improvement, the transition to a new college representative, following the previous one changing roles, was handled very smoothly.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Since beginning my apprenticeship, I have gained a wealth of knowledge and skills, with lathe work being my most significant accomplishment. I have successfully applied this expertise to create practical items, such as a hitch lock and a welding turntable. Furthermore, I am actively advancing my milling skills under the guidance of my mentor. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to refine these abilities during work, crafting pieces like toolmaker's clamps and a corner drilling guide. My learning has also extended into the electrical field. Building on the basics I learned at school, I now have a thorough understanding of ring mains in houses and can wire lighting systems operated by multiple switches.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
My workplace has never had an apprentice before, making this a new experience for all of us. As a result, I take full responsibility for managing my college work alongside my tasks at work, though I am provided with sufficient time to complete both. Additionally, I started college later than planned, which extended my course to two years instead of one. The college has been very accommodating and supportive throughout this adjustment. However, as mentioned earlier, the communication between the college and my workplace could be significantly improved. For example, the college failed to inform my managers about my return dates after the summer half term, an issue that has affected several apprentices. Despite this, the tutors have been incredibly helpful and flexible, which has been invaluable for those of us, like myself, who started the course later than usual.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
My mentor and supervisor have been incredibly supportive, drawing on their previous experience with apprentices to better understand and anticipate my needs. Since I started my apprenticeship in November, I was late in enrolling at college, which limited my options and required my workplace to search extensively for a college that could accommodate me at that time. Although attending college requires an hour and a half drive, my company provides the valuable benefit of covering my fuel costs, which has been a great help.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
My training provider supports me every step of the way towards achieving my qualification. They ensure I acquire the necessary skills, visit my workplace to confirm my manager's satisfaction with my performance at work and college, and assist me in coordinating with an assessor to sign off my tasks. Additionally, they provide an end-point assessment, enabling me to obtain my qualification.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
My qualification is divided into two parts: the mechanical side and the electrical side. I completed the mechanical side during my first year, which involved hand fitting and operating machinery—I chose the lathe. Since my job primarily involves creating and machining components, this part of the course was highly beneficial. The electrical side has proven helpful for tasks around the house and offers potential opportunities to collaborate with the electrician at work. However, my daily responsibilities have not yet required me to apply these skills directly.
My company plans to enrol me in the next level at college, which focuses on fabrication and will undoubtedly enhance my ability to excel in my job role.
My company plans to enrol me in the next level at college, which focuses on fabrication and will undoubtedly enhance my ability to excel in my job role.
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
My company is a large company with many places of operation around the UK and the world, with this, I was given the chance to attend an apprentice week in Devon, where I met other apprentices from a huge variety of roles within my company. In addition, I have also been involved with mental health workshops through the company, again with other apprentices.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Babcock International Group to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Babcock has a huge number of roles in a variety of trades, the company can essentially cater to anyone with the jobs they offer. I have in the past suggested a job to a friend however, this role didn't seem to have much progression, and so they turned it down.
Furthermore, Babcock is such a large company that if one job didn't fulfil your appetite you could quite easily move position to another, at the apprentice residential I was talking to someone who was working for Babcock before however got bored of their job and became an apprentice in a similar role to gain new qualifications.
Furthermore, Babcock is such a large company that if one job didn't fulfil your appetite you could quite easily move position to another, at the apprentice residential I was talking to someone who was working for Babcock before however got bored of their job and became an apprentice in a similar role to gain new qualifications.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Babcock International Group?
Babcock is a company with lots of opportunities. Don't be disheartened if you don't get the first job you apply for, there are always other opportunities within Babcock that may better suit you.
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