Apprenticeship 1

[coulton]

Im soon starting a mechanical engineering apprenticeship straight from school.

I wondered if anyone could recommend anything I should learn before starting.

Sorry if this is posted in the wrong place

 

[TheTick]

Straight from enigneering school, perhaps. If you want to enter an apprenticeship program, look into skilled trades. Nothing wrong with being a plumber. My uncle made a small fortune in that trade.

 

[SnTMan]

coulton, the forum "How to Improve Myself to Get Ahead in My Work" might be more appropriate.

You might study the industry you'll be apprenticing in. Good to know where the money comes from.

Regards,

Mike

 

[berkshire]

Are you doing a mechanical engineering apprenticeship with a degree attached, or are you doing a certificate course?

Also you will get a more sensible answer here, if you say which country you are in.
Either way, you should brush up on Math and language skills.
B.E.

The good engineer does not need to memorize every formula; he just needs to know where he can find them when he needs them. Old professor

 

[coulton]

I believe its a certificate course, with Btec's. Also progressing onto HNC and HND within a manufacutring enviroment in the UK

 

[KENAT]

Well, you could brush up on your math that you haven't looked at since you took your GCSE's - and any relevant science too. Practice talking and writing like a grown up (you're doing OK on this site so far), most older folks may not like text speak etc. If you haven't done much mechanical (or whatever type of engineering it is) maybe try and find some relevant books at the local library (if the govt hasn't closed it) to familiarize yourself with some of the terms. Look around the companies website etc. to get an idea what they do.

Try and research some of the practical jokes that the more experienced folks may play on you - for instance find out about 'sparks for the grinder', 'a long weight/wait' and similar classics.

Practice being "ever so 'umble" & respecting your elders - if you come across as a young know it all, or unwilling to pay your dues etc. or similar you'll have a hard time of it.

Over in the "How to Improve Myself to Get Ahead in My Work" forum you'll find various threads for new grads etc. in their first jobs - take a look at some of these.

Classics for once you get there would be:

'ask questions'

'write down the answers to the questions in a log book or similar'

'apply the answers to previous questions to new problems where possible

'rather than always asking direct questions try to propose what you think the answer is and ask them to confirm'

'remember you have 2 ears and one mouth, use them in that ration'

Good luck, we had an apprenticeship scheme at my former UK employer. Unfortunately about 1/2 the people in it didn't make the most of it, they didn't knuckle down to hard work, they only liked the fun part and they would call in sick or just not turn up etc. Now I'm not going to claim the company or apprentice scheme was perfect but some of them did take advantage of it and did well. A lot of the supervisors, managers, engineers etc. had gone through apprenticeships there and were doing OK.

Posting guidelines faq731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

(probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: faq1088-1484​

 

[ScottyUK]

Boring as it sounds, read up on some of the basics.
- Learn to measure things to a suitable level of accuracy.
- Learn how to produce a half-decent sketch.
- Brush up on your maths.
- A vernier caliper is your friend - find out how to use one.
- Browse the catalogue for one of the tool merchants so you can recognise basic tools and what they are used for.

Most of this you'll cover in class, but there's a lot you can learn for yourself too.

When you're old enough to drive, learn how to maintain and repair your car. You will pick up a lot of highly transferrable practical skills, and save some money too.


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If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!

 

[berkshire]

coulton
It has been many years since I did my apprenticeship in the UK, and things may have changed somewhat.
When I started my apprenticeship, there was a 6 month probation period, before indentures were signed.
This gave management time to get a good look at you, and see if they liked what they saw. It also gave you, time to see, if this was what you really wanted to do.
Needless to say, slacking during this time period, is a sure way of finding the exit.
B.E.

The good engineer does not need to memorize every formula; he just needs to know where he can find them when he needs them. Old professor

 

[Artisi]

ScottyUK, Good suggestion re repair your car - a million lessons and skills to be learned, as an apprentice 50+ years back, I would arrive home each evening and immediately change back into overalls and start working on my limo' so I had transport to get back to work next day.

No job was too big, replace a few burnt-out valves, drop the gearbox to fix somethig, rebuild the generator or starter motor, fix the voltage regulator - boy they were the day - crawl into bed after midnight and then crawl out again at day break for a days work and wonder what would need fixing on the car after work.

It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)

 

[KiwiMace]

Learn to fit, learn to weld, learn to read drawings. Then learn to design fixtures, specify weld requirements, and draw.

Start humble but aim to become the expert. Understand your workplace from supply chain to customers. Take an interest in the business side.

Do not write-off going to university when you complete. Even if you don't, the continuing education attitude will take you far.

This might all sound easy and sensible, but you are probably about to start working in an environment where 80% of your peers just want to get done and go home.

 

[SnTMan]

Well, you gotta have a goal

 

[KiwiMace]

I was going to write more, but the leading hand called smoko.

 

[ScottyUK]

Artisi,

Did you sell me your car?


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If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!

 

[Artisi]

ScottyUK,
Might have done - Wolsley 4/44 Hawthorn Green - forget the year model.



It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)

 

[ScottyUK]

Oooh, I'd have one of them today! It would have to be a weekend toy though - I'm too used to the reliability of modern vehicles, and not enough room for all the stuff the kids "need" according to Mrs ScottyUK.


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If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!

 

[Artisi]

Complete with the cracked cylinder head and burnt-out exhaust valves - if I still had it I would probably give it to you to get rid of the problem.

It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)

 

[berkshire]

Scotty, Artisi,
You have now morfed this thread into "What kind of car did you have?" instead of helping coulton get his apprenticeship started.
B.E.

The good engineer does not need to memorize every formula; he just needs to know where he can find them when he needs them. Old professor

 

[Artisi]

Maybe so, but the subject seems to have run its course unless you have something to add

It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)

 

[berkshire]

Nah,
Anything I add now, will sound like an old codger telling his kids how he had to walk to school up hill both ways in the snow.
B.E.

The good engineer does not need to memorize every formula; he just needs to know where he can find them when he needs them. Old professor

 

[hydromarine]

By the Machinerys Handbook known as The Bible for obvious reasons
can help yo a lot throghot yor career