Higher Level Electrical Apprentice Review

Item: Higher Level Electrical Apprentice at Babcock International Group
Rating: 4.5
Author: Anonymous

at Babcock International Group

Higher Level Apprenticeship

Electronic and Electrical Engineering

Plymouth

Review Submitted: March 2026

Overall Rating

4.5 /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!

4.5/5 - Overview of Role

5/5 - Skills Development

4.4/5 - Structure and Support

Overview of Role

Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

5/5

I'm currently on a permanent placement in Facilities Engineering as part of the Electrical Control and Instrumental Technical Authority. On completion of my apprenticeship I'll be employed as a Engineering technician within this team. I answer technical queries for maintenance activity from operations teams in industrial settings, giving them advice, guidance, design changes and then updating manuals/documentation that reflects these changes as a result of the findings.

To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

4/5

I really enjoy the Dockyard and working within my team, understanding how they work and how I fit into the picture. There is also clear scope of progression for now and beyond my apprenticeship. I feel well supported and given the opportunity to learn by doing with review and guidance during it. The only downside I have is the lack of practical development in my first year at City College Plymouth.

Skills Development

Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

5/5

I have learnt a lot of new skills in relation to theory and practical elements. I now have a comprehensive level of knowledge for Electrical and Electronic Engineering to a HNC standard and have been able to apply this on an industrial placement supporting frigate refit. I have also learnt a lot about health and safety and apply this in everything I do at work, as it is a dangerous environment. I have also developed my existing skills of being a good problem solver and being able to communicate effectively with various departments and people.

Structure and Support

How well organised/structured is your programme?

4/5

The structure is well thought out and the route for completing the apprenticeship is clear. However, the training provider for the first year probably lacks the required standards set by my employer. In the first year City College Plymouth should provide practical skills alongside the studying and this was insufficient and not to the standard I'd expect to develop key practical skills and knowledge in preparation for working in the Dockyard with my employer from the second year onwards. I felt their organisation was poor and didn't have the required teachers or space to accommodate the Higher Level Apprentices and Level 3 apprentices at the same time, leading to HLAs spending what should be practical learning time, doing more theoretical study instead. Everything set and managed by Babcock otherwise is to a great standard and is well organised; the training provider for practical and theoretical study could improve.

How much support do you receive from your employer?

5/5

Babcock provide excellent support to me and others. There are numerous outlets for support in person, by set apprentice development advisors and line managers. They also provide an array of confidential support routes and other methods of support for neurodiversity and other needs.

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

3/5

My training provider could be better. City College Plymouth, when it comes to practical elements of my apprenticeship in the first year are poorly organised. On the contrary, they do support the HNC studies well.

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

5/5

The HNC in Electrical and Electronic Engineering supports my role very well and is a good level of qualification. It supports me well with giving me theoretical knowledge of the work I'm doing.

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 plenty of extra-curricular activities provided by my employer. They provided a week residential trip to Skern Lodge involving a number of team building and outdoor sports activities with all the apprentices who started that year which was really good. My team also conduct regular social events and activities.

Recommendations & Advice

Would you recommend Babcock International Group to a friend?

Yes

Why?

They are a great employer who have a genuine interest in having their apprentices succeed through supporting them at every opportunity.

What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Babcock International Group?

Go in open minded and with a positive attitude to make the most of every opportunity provided. Also, be keen to volunteer and take the lead as the opportunities are endless with a vast array of networking to help you go further and succeed.

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