Quality Inspector Review
at AWE
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Engineering
Aldermaston
Review Submitted: March 2026
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!
4/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
4/5
-
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 am a quality inspector. My role entails performing checks on components to ensure they conform with the specification given. I use both manual and powered (machine) inspection equipment to achieve this.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
Employment I had prior to this apprenticeship program involved a lot of unskilled, physical labour, where my slim form wasn't too suited toward. I am now making more use of my mind than my body which I prefer and there have been plenty of new experiences and knowledge to obtain that even now I am still learning something new as I progress the apprenticeship.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I had minor knowledge/certification in general engineering from a college course I had taken a decade prior to being accepted to the apprenticeship so I was almost entirely green in the subject material, where all knowledge gained has been new.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
Unfortunately there was a huge oversite whereby part of the qualification had enrolled my intake year as well as a few others on the wrong college course so we had to do a heavily accelerated course, more than once to only a passing criteria to catch up. The learning within the intial academy (on site training) however was very well organised and structured. When released to shadow/be mentored in an actual production environment there can be quite a lot of downtime but when the job's are active they are a strong learning environment that follows a standardised structure.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
Several monthly meetings take place over various functions to ensure communication over events, progress and any concerns. I am able to reach anyone I need to promptly through instant messaging and emailing services. Very early on in the apprenticeship I became quite ill and was supported through that process. I also suffered serious injuries in an RTC where I had to take a break in learning to later return with reduced hours, reduced responsiblities (operating machinery) as I gradually returned to full duties and hours. I was supported by scheduled telephone calls with Occupational Health to catch up and make any changes if neccessary.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
Monthly reports and interviews keep track of qualification progress. The relevant person can be contacted through email or instant messaging if faster communication is required.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
The qualification framework includes many relevant activities and skills (particularly administrative) that will be used once out turning.
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
There are clubs at the work place, volunteering opportunities as well as hosted events for networking activities.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend AWE to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The majority of the company's interactions are internal and you will usually interact with other colleagues rather than the general public as that can be a concern for people. There are deadlines for jobs however they are not nearly as aggressive as they would be in a more commercial company.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to AWE?
The recruiting process makes a lot of use of online interviewing and screening so some IT know-how would definitely be useful.
