Didnt get an engineering apprenticeship. Gutted.
Discussion
Benbay001 said:
My local college doesnt really have any decent engineering courses (CAD or similar) that are part time. Id consider my self competent with Sketchup, so i feel a basic course in CAD would be showing me stuff i already know. Giving up work is not an option, even if just for a year.
My mechanical knowledge is currently very limited. I know the basics of almost everything, but i dont know anything in much more detail.
Id consider my self competent with Sketchup, so i feel a basic course in CAD would be showing me stuff i already know.
It's not about being able to use the software, it's about taking a customers drawings - from fag packet sketch to supplied 3D models and turning in to the G-Code that the machine tools actually use.My mechanical knowledge is currently very limited. I know the basics of almost everything, but i dont know anything in much more detail.
Id consider my self competent with Sketchup, so i feel a basic course in CAD would be showing me stuff i already know.
You must be able to interpret all kinds of drawings and produce working models etc.
Also, at 22, most companies will not look at you for an apprenticeship as most get some kind of government subsidy for employing 16-18 year olds etc.
Benbay001 said:
My local college doesnt really have any decent engineering courses (CAD or similar) that are part time. Id consider my self competent with Sketchup, so i feel a basic course in CAD would be showing me stuff i already know. Giving up work is not an option, even if just for a year.
My mechanical knowledge is currently very limited. I know the basics of almost everything, but i dont know anything in much more detail.
Id consider my self competent with Sketchup, so i feel a basic course in CAD would be showing me stuff i already know.
An evening course in CAD will teach you a lot more than you know. Most have different stages as well, so you could start on an advanced course that skips the basics.My mechanical knowledge is currently very limited. I know the basics of almost everything, but i dont know anything in much more detail.
Id consider my self competent with Sketchup, so i feel a basic course in CAD would be showing me stuff i already know.
Also 90% of industry CAD software is AutoCAD based, which has a very different feel to other products. Imagine having only used Microsoft Windows and then being expected to use iOS on a macbook. It's not quite the same.
In terms of drawing standards; this is the kind of stuff that is used day-to-day where I work and the standard our CAD engineers work to:
This is fairly typical stuff in the industry.
On a side note; if you find you have a knack with CAD, it can be a very lucrative career. Decent CAD guys on contract charge circa £25-30 an hour and a decent co-ordinator who can 3D model can get £50+ an hour.
I'd recommend finding a college course to do off your own back. I went straight from school to college and did a National Diploma in Engineering, so when I applied for my apprenticeship, I was already 2 years older than everyone else, and had two years training, so was in better standing. Which allowed me to drop straight on to the HNC when everyone else was put onto ONC's, it also got me put in the department I wanted to be, rather than moved around the factory to do all the other jobs.
I think in your situation, it'll be your age which is affecting it, the funding for apprentices is almost none existent if you're over 20, plus you'll be up against fresh school leavers, who'll likely have similar or better results than you, and will likely be more subservient, and they could thing you're just after getting time served behind you, then moving on. What have you being doing since you left school?
I think in your situation, it'll be your age which is affecting it, the funding for apprentices is almost none existent if you're over 20, plus you'll be up against fresh school leavers, who'll likely have similar or better results than you, and will likely be more subservient, and they could thing you're just after getting time served behind you, then moving on. What have you being doing since you left school?
dingg said:
to the OP , have you considered a merchant navy cadetship ?
worth a look at IMO
Yes. worth a look at IMO
I just assumed it would be massively over subscribed.
I also found all the options baffling.
To everyone else. Ive taken everything on board.
Going to get this final interview out the way (if im offered it) and then start applying for courses. Studying full time is simply not an option. I have a mental block to the idea of giving up employment.
Regarding what ive been doing since leaving school.
3 year at college not studying hard at all and studying subjects that i now dont need.
2 years working for my mum.
The last year ive spent working in a warehouse. Ive recently got my forklift licences.
I came across this job while i was looking for myself and it reminded me of this topic, sound interesting,
http://www.jobs.net/jobs/ultra-electronics-sw/en-u...
http://www.jobs.net/jobs/ultra-electronics-sw/en-u...
career at sea info here
http://www.careersatsea.org/apply/sponsoring_compa...
try them all , bound to hit lucky with one of them.
http://www.careersatsea.org/apply/sponsoring_compa...
try them all , bound to hit lucky with one of them.
Benbay001 said:
dingg said:
to the OP , have you considered a merchant navy cadetship ?
worth a look at IMO
Yes. worth a look at IMO
I just assumed it would be massively over subscribed.
I also found all the options baffling.
To everyone else. Ive taken everything on board.
Going to get this final interview out the way (if im offered it) and then start applying for courses. Studying full time is simply not an option. I have a mental block to the idea of giving up employment.
Regarding what ive been doing since leaving school.
3 year at college not studying hard at all and studying subjects that i now dont need.
2 years working for my mum.
The last year ive spent working in a warehouse. Ive recently got my forklift licences.
dingg said:
career at sea info here
http://www.careersatsea.org/apply/sponsoring_compa...
try them all , bound to hit lucky with one of them.
What he said; regardless of whether you want to stick with engineering or look out of windows it's ~3 years of 3-4 month periods at college interspersed with time at sea, and you get paid(not very well) while you're doing it. The options available to you are dependent on your quals, which I think are good enough for the basic cadetship although I don't think they'd entertain you for a foundation degree course.http://www.careersatsea.org/apply/sponsoring_compa...
try them all , bound to hit lucky with one of them.
Any questions?
Here is a very important question: What do you want to do?
I only ask as i was also interested in an engineering, thinking I wanted to be an engineer building stuff. After work experience at Airbus I came to the conclusion that being an engineer actual involves a lot of office work, especially for a bigger multinational company, where they have different people to do each individual bits. I ended up applying to a few apprenticeships, and getting on them, but this was slightly different as I am actually 'hands on' (on aircraft). This is much more interesting for me and changed my decision on uni completely.
I only ask as i was also interested in an engineering, thinking I wanted to be an engineer building stuff. After work experience at Airbus I came to the conclusion that being an engineer actual involves a lot of office work, especially for a bigger multinational company, where they have different people to do each individual bits. I ended up applying to a few apprenticeships, and getting on them, but this was slightly different as I am actually 'hands on' (on aircraft). This is much more interesting for me and changed my decision on uni completely.
Several points here.
Do consider the Armed Forces. All the people I know that studied engineering this way have done very well.
Mr Classic has a good question when he says what do you want to do? Where I work we have a multitude of different specialities in engineering, Stress Engineers, Design Engineers, Production Engineers, Electrical Systems Engineers, Materials Engineers. You need to think about what best suits your strong points and emphasise these during an interview. It shows you have a sense of direction and have thought it through. Having said that, be careful not to shut yourself out of something that may be suitable.
Also read up on any potential employer that is offering you an interview. What do they produce ? Who are their customers ? What’s the company history ? These subjects may not come up in an interview but several of mine have had the question “what do you know about us ? ”. If you can answer this it shows you are interested and making an effort. You will stand out from those who just sit there, shrug their shoulders and say “urgh”.
One thing coming across with young people now is they have minimal practical experience.
I am involved with helping run our apprentices group project. This is done with every year to give them an idea of how things work on a real project and gets them to know the different departments, some of which they may not be placed with during their apprenticeship. Sometimes it becomes horribly apparent that they may be academically bright but have never made/built anything outside school/college.
Therefore I would recommend doing a project to not only show you are interested in engineering but also give useful experience. Make sure it’s as much self build as possible. It doesn’t have to be too grand or ground breaking. You want something to talk about at your next interview even if it isn’t completed yet.
Try to create something using a CAD package as part of the process. There is nothing like having a real problem to tackle to get you to learn something. Have a look out for related competitions/challenges to enter. These will give you experience of scheduling & working to a deadline. Keep notes on what you do, especially any c*ck ups and their resolution as this shows you are gaining experience and learning (hopefully). You will have to budget which will teach you about trading off the requirements against cost of components, i.e. what’s the cheapest that is fit for purpose. Then you have the practical of building the thing. All this gives you experience which should come across in an interview and shows that you are interested, not someone who has just seen that we need Engineers on the telly news and you thought you would give it a go.
Anyway good luck, keep at it and don’t get disheartened. We have up to 900 applicants for about 15 apprenticeship places some years so you can expect to take a few knocks before you get there.
Do consider the Armed Forces. All the people I know that studied engineering this way have done very well.
Mr Classic has a good question when he says what do you want to do? Where I work we have a multitude of different specialities in engineering, Stress Engineers, Design Engineers, Production Engineers, Electrical Systems Engineers, Materials Engineers. You need to think about what best suits your strong points and emphasise these during an interview. It shows you have a sense of direction and have thought it through. Having said that, be careful not to shut yourself out of something that may be suitable.
Also read up on any potential employer that is offering you an interview. What do they produce ? Who are their customers ? What’s the company history ? These subjects may not come up in an interview but several of mine have had the question “what do you know about us ? ”. If you can answer this it shows you are interested and making an effort. You will stand out from those who just sit there, shrug their shoulders and say “urgh”.
One thing coming across with young people now is they have minimal practical experience.
I am involved with helping run our apprentices group project. This is done with every year to give them an idea of how things work on a real project and gets them to know the different departments, some of which they may not be placed with during their apprenticeship. Sometimes it becomes horribly apparent that they may be academically bright but have never made/built anything outside school/college.
Therefore I would recommend doing a project to not only show you are interested in engineering but also give useful experience. Make sure it’s as much self build as possible. It doesn’t have to be too grand or ground breaking. You want something to talk about at your next interview even if it isn’t completed yet.
Try to create something using a CAD package as part of the process. There is nothing like having a real problem to tackle to get you to learn something. Have a look out for related competitions/challenges to enter. These will give you experience of scheduling & working to a deadline. Keep notes on what you do, especially any c*ck ups and their resolution as this shows you are gaining experience and learning (hopefully). You will have to budget which will teach you about trading off the requirements against cost of components, i.e. what’s the cheapest that is fit for purpose. Then you have the practical of building the thing. All this gives you experience which should come across in an interview and shows that you are interested, not someone who has just seen that we need Engineers on the telly news and you thought you would give it a go.
Anyway good luck, keep at it and don’t get disheartened. We have up to 900 applicants for about 15 apprenticeship places some years so you can expect to take a few knocks before you get there.
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