My new ambitions were to seek a technical career in engineering. After contacting Connexions employment agency I was advised to contact Rolls- Royce NETC. I had obviously heard of Rolls- Royce before but was unaware that they provided engineering apprenticeships for young people like me. The Rolls-Royce website provided me with an application form, which I completed and sent off immediately. From there I was invited to attend aptitude tests and then an interview. I was fairly confident after the interview that I had fared well, and shortly after, I was accepted with a start date for September 07. I was very pleased to have been given this opportunity.
Upon starting at the training centre, I found it very hard getting into the routine of a prompt start for 7:30am every day. But I sharp got used to it and began to realise it was all part of introducing me to a working environment.
Whilst training at Rolls-Royce, I studied for PEOs towards an NVQ level 2. Rolls-Royce also sent me to Newcastle College to obtain a technical certificate towards my apprenticeship. I enjoyed all aspects of the apprenticeship including both the technical side at college and the practical training at Rolls-Royce NETC.
Whilst at the training centre I covered many areas of engineering, including computer aided design, fabrication & welding and conventional machining (turning and milling). It was at this point that Ford Aerospace required a machining apprentice. My name was put forward for an interview, and I was offered the job the same day.
I was delighted to be given the opportunity to work with Ford Aerospace and was excited to embark on a career in engineering. Ford are a well established Company at the cutting edge of technology, manufacturing precision components for the aerospace industry. I felt that they could provide the technical apprenticeship that I was seeking.
It is currently the third year of my apprenticeship and I am really enjoying it. I have now completed two years at Newcastle College for my BTEC National Certificate. For my third year Ford thought it would be beneficial for me to progress to higher education on a HNC in manufacturing. They have offered full financial support for this course and allowed me day release to attend college.
Looking back on my early endeavours at South Tyneside studying “A” levels I’m very sure that I made the correct decision approaching Rolls-Royce to pursue an apprenticeship in engineering. I urge anyone with an aspiration to become an engineer to approach Rolls-Royce NETC