Advanced manufacturing apprentice Review
at GE Aerospace
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Manufacturing
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Review Submitted: May 2025
Overall Rating
3.1 /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
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Overview of Role
3/5
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Skills Development
2.8/5
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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:
3/5
Testing units , trying to find out what the fault is and repairing the unit.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
Its a good programme and has alot of potential as long as you are proactive with searching for different opportunities such as projects. We go to college twice a week excluding half terms so that breaks up the week very nicely.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
Developed my electrical knowledge skills such as how circuits work and what certain components do, i also know what the repair procedure is for certain units. There is alot of work using schematics and engineering drawings.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
2/5
We have rotations every 8 months into different part of the OE (working as an operator). This includes things like stripping and crimping wires and building the unit from a manual.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
I receive a lot of support from the employer, there are always meeting in place which are not compulsory but are there if you feel like you need to talk to someone and they will always ask how you are getting on. There is also always the option to do college work whenever you want so you always feel prepared for exams and are on top of coursework. However, on the other hand i also wanted to spend some time in different parts of the business to which the employer wasn't so supportive.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
1/5
The training provider is disappointing. We have raised several issues to Gloucestershire college which havent been resolved as of yet however an improvement plan is set to be in place. Alot of the lecturers are good and give you a clear understanding of what needs to be done however, some dont and you find yourself teaching yourself the topics.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
2/5
What we do in college is very different to what we do at work. There are certain key things that you can take into work such as soldering and using electrical test equipment like oscilliscopes,multimeters ect. However, alot of the learning for the role is done on the job.
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
There are alot of activities which are regularly designed to get apprentices involved, such as residentials which you get to spend time away with your cohort. There is also regular activities which help you get to know your cohort.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend GE Aerospace to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The work life balance is amazing, you can come into work between 7 and 9 and have half a day on a Friday. I also feel as everyone is very approachable from management to work colleagues on the shop floor. I dont feel like anybody is ever micro managing me , but just lets me get on with the work. I never feel stressed after leaving work i never have to think about work when i am home.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to GE Aerospace?
The workplace is very proactive here, if you want to get involved in certain opportunities you have to go looking for them yourself. Dont be afraid to ask for help everybody is willing to help as there are alot of apprentices/ex apprentices so everybody knows what its like to be in your shoes.
