What does a Mechatronics Engineering Apprentice do?

Improve, maintain, attend breakdowns, of a FMCG industrial automated continuous flow production factory of wet Petcare Products in the form of pouch and can varieties.

Describe your job in 20-25 words.

I currently help with re-programming machinery, replace parts, improve efficiency of the plant / pieces of kit, and attend breakdowns to assist with getting the factory going again.

Give a description of a day in the life of a Mechatronics Engineering Apprentice.

I have currently moved into a re-active position for 6 months, where I will work with a team of 6 engineers, where we respond to factory breakdowns, and aim to keep the factory running. We also spend time performing project work, where we can do projects to help resolve known problems and prevent them from happening.

After you qualified, did it take long to find a job?

When qualified, you complete a “Process” where you are presented with a day of interviews and technical exercises to assess your development, and you will then be presented with an opportunity if you meet the desired criteria.

How did you end up in this job?

I completed my A Levels at Melton Vale Post 16 centre, where I got exposed some engineering like environments, such as product design, that helped me get a feel for a project management, key workshop experience learning fabrication skills & CAD design work, all of which has been essential for the role I am currently filling. I also studied computer science, where I learnt all fundamentals for programming and the workings of computers, which has been extremely useful in the role I fill.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of pursuing this career?

My advice for someone thinking of pursuing this career is that it can be an extremely enjoyable role with many opportunities if you listen to those more experienced within the role, and work as team.

What’s the best thing about your job?

The best thing about my job is the mutuality & freedom of those in a similar full time experienced position. You also get huge exposure and diversity to the workplace, with different welcoming personalities, and a wide range of basic and complex machinery.

If you had the chance to do it all over again, what would you do the same / differently?

I would do nothing differently, because if you work as a team, and work closely with those around you, you will be absolutely fine.

What was your starting salary?

I started on around £14,000 base salary.

How long have you been doing your job?

I have been in this role for 3 years

Has your salary changed since then – if not do you see salary progression?

Every year you will experience a salary increase, which is not affected by plant or personal performance.

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

I see my self working within an Electrical and Controls project engineer role.

If you could give your 16-year-old self some career advice, what would it be?

I would try to get as much work experience as possible, as it was not until I did work experience & chose the subjects, I enjoy most at college, that I understood my enjoyment for engineering.

Did you buy something special with your first pay cheque?

Some nice drinks out with friends.