Assembly Apprentice Review

Item: Assembly Apprentice at Ercol
Rating: 4.1
Author: Anonymous

at Ercol

Level 2 Apprenticeship

Carpentry and Joinery, Manufacturing

Princes Risborough

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

4/5 - Skills Development

4.2/5 - 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 make furniture. I mostly work in the cabinet shop helping to clean up cabinet carcases, attach plints, fit doors and drawers.

To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

4/5

I have good mentors on the factory floor and am supported by the apprenticeship team in the office. I am also well supported by my tutors at college both when I am there and when I am back at my work place.

Skills Development

Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

4/5

I have learned how to use various pieces on machinery that are used day to day in furniture making. I have also learned how to use hand tools. I feel more confident in my communication skills and asking questions. I have been encouraged to ask lots of questions even if it is about something small, it's better to ask lots of questions than be stuck and get something wrong.

Structure and Support

How well organised/structured is your programme?

4/5

The course delivered by Rycotwood Furniture Centre is well organised and structured. We cover everything needed for the course over 10 weeks at college and through off the job work when we are back at our places of work.

How much support do you receive from your employer?

4/5

I have to take initiative to ask for help but once I make my employer aware I recieve plenty of suport.

How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

5/5

I recieve support both at college in the classroom and during 1-to-1s. I also recive support when I am back at my workplace through speedy responses to emails.

How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

5/5

Working towards my qualification helps to fill in my gaps of knowledge about the wider furniture industry giving me context to what I am doing. It also provides the basics for using hand tools and sharpening.

Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)

3/5

I have had the oppotunity to represent the company and apprenticeships at various events.

Recommendations & Advice

Would you recommend Ercol to a friend?

Yes

Why?

I would recomend the Assembly Apprenticeship. I feel supported by both my training provider and employer, both are eager to see me succeed and are doing what they can to help me do that.