level 3 quality inspector apprentice Review
at AWE
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Engineering
Tadley
Review Submitted: March 2026
Overall Rating
4.9 /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!
5/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
4.8/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
in the workshop, learning my basic engineering skills for my level 3. I have been learning how to make a range of components using different techniques and skills on the manual lathes and mills and am soon moving onto the CNCs. The college course has been 1 and a half days a week and has been full on so i have been taking time to do the assignments for the theory side of my level 3 during the working day.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I am enjoying developing my knowledge and learning new skills every day while also being educated by being paid to be sent to college. i did not want to do college full time by doing A- Levels, so doing an apprentechip was 100% one of the best options i could have chosen. I started doing the course as soon as i left secondary school and was an amazing option to do to gain hands on experience I wouldn't have got if I went to college full time- bonus to be paid to get an education as well. i enjoy being given the opportunity to be able to learn from those who have more skills and experience than me.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I joined the apprentechip with my level 2 engineering from my GCSEs, so the theory for college is easier and just building and developing the knowledge. it was benificial to already have those basic hand skills and foundational knowledge which gets built upon every day. ive learned how to use machinery safely and skills to be able to achieve tight tolerances and achieve smooth finishes, as well as beginning to develop the basic inspection skills for inspecting components.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
I know where I am going in terms of placements in different departments as well as the knowledge i am going to gain there and i know the order of components to be making on the machines. however, i have been doing my course for 7 months and no one has sat down with me to talk through what my KSBs are. Other than that, the college course is well structured and so is the content of what im doing at work and i think the KSBs will become relevant and spoken through when i approach my end point asessment. The reason i think for this is because the trainers are quite busy at the moment because one of them left but managemet are getting another one as fast as they can.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
there is a pastoral team, neurodiversity team and safeguarding. they are all so lovely and you just know from the atmosphere that if anything is wrong you can go to anyone for a chat. the training managers are lovely and everyone who works here are just so lovely.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
AWE lets you do your college work during your working times during the week and there are people around who you can ask for help, whether that is from other apprentices who have done your course, from the managers who sent you on the course or just people who have the skills that your assignment is asking for knowledge on. the work in the workshop gives support every step of the way and you can check as many times as you want with the training managers to make sure your doing it right and if your stuck or not understanding then they will teach you in different ways to help you pick up on the skill.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
iv'e not started in my role yet as i am still developing the basic skills needed. however, when i look back on the level of skills i had 7 months ago to now, i can confidently say i feel comfortable using most of the machines in the workshop by myself and know every part of them.
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 posters dotted around for sports teams to join outside of work, for example AWE judo, brazillian jujitzu and more. there are always networking events going on for people all over the business. theres always people looking for helpers for careers events or other events for AWE to host which are great fun to get involved in. i have just signed up to do the IMechE challenge that enrolls teams from companies all over the UK.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend AWE to a friend?
Yes
Why?
the support is amazing and your consistently and constantly learning new things. i personally think the idea of working for a company that ensures the continuous at sea deterrant is a deterrant is amazing and so cool. there are such specific skills that you can learn at AWE and the opportunities that are given here arent like other companies i looked into when i was searching for places to do my apprentechip.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to AWE?
the process can take a while. if your like me and are joining at 16 then the chances are you will be placed in the apprentice academy to do your basic engineering skills and then be put on placements in departments all over the company. this is because you need to be 18 to get the clearance that is required to go on some of these placements. this means the time in the academy for 18 months can seem a little long when your excited to get out but you just have to be patient. the application process can also be a little tedious and long for a few months before you start to make sure you have the training and security clearance to come on site, but trust me just be patient and get it done as fast as possible. when you first join AWE there will be a lot of information given to you about security and health and safety in a short period of time, but dont let it overwhelm you and stick it out and the second you start working everything becomes so fun.
