Apprentice Review

I am currently an Electrical Maintenance Technician based at one of the UK's 8 AGR Nuclear Power Stations. I maintain the electrical plant on site to help the station to generate electricity both safely and reliably. I love my job role however i am sad knowing that this will end soon and i will have to rotate within the business. I have voiced my opinion of my current role however so it is known to my manager that i enjoy this placement

I have learned a wide variety of new skills including electrical testing on high voltage equipment, fault finding and general electrical maintenance. As well as these skills i have also improved my computer skills and communicative skills too. I have been enrolled on some courses in the upcoming year and i know that these will benefit me long-term within the business. I feel as though although these courses can be annoying i will get something out of them.

I have enjoyed my program and I am very thankful I was given the opportunity to develop myself as a vital part of one of the UK leading energy suppliers. I enjoy the hands-on part of my job role and i think that i could go quite far with a job such as the one i am in now however i know i must rotate around the business and i don't particularly think i will enjoy other areas of the business as well as i enjoy my role im in now. I do enjoy my apprenticeship though however.

The EDF energy Apprenticeship program has been running for a number of years and many of the participants have gone on to climb further up the ladder, the value gained from being part of this process is extremely beneficial within the company. We have the opportunity to speak to these apprentices and we also have monthly meetings with our peers and managers to understand what they hope for us to happen in the future which i find makes me feel like a valued employee of the company.

I think that the program is well established with new positive developments taking place every year. The first 2 years spent at HMS Collingwood near Portsmouth provide the classroom based learning necessary to give us a running start into working on site. The final two years are spent working alongside the station staff, gaining vital experience whilst completing the NVQ and perhaps undertaking a HNC in engineering. So overall very organised and we are told every step of our journey too.

Babcock training in Portsmouth offers a range of support not limited to actual class room support but encourage personal development through the chance to visit various European countries as part of a cultural broadening project. As mentioned previously, we have the opportunity to speak to these apprentices and we also have monthly meetings with our peers and managers to understand what they hope for us to happen in the future which i find makes me feel like a valued employee of the company.

When selected for the apprenticeship you are looked after by a Station based Apprentice Co-ordinator who is there to deal with any issues you may have. They are also there to offer information and guidance to ensure that you are making progress towards completing the apprenticeship process. We are also able to contact our local manager with any problems as well as bring up any issues we have in our monthly meetings as well, if we are happy to voice our problems and opinions in front of our peers. So very supportive overall.

In the first two years of the scheme you are based at HMS Collingwood and HMS Sultan. Whilst there all of needs are met by the company; food, accommodation and transport to college are all provided leaving your monthly salary to be spent on other recreational activities. In the third and fourth year you return to you site where you receive a very competitive salary. I think starting out in other companies could be more financially beneficial however the more you work within our company the better the salary gets, which makes sense.

During the first two years in Portsmouth you are given a large number of different opportunities to do many different things. You have the chance to visit a number of different European countries, learn French and even visit the new PWR nuclear site in Flamanville, France which i would find really interesting, personally. I know there are local opporunities as well to help out at schools and events to help students understand the business and the opportunities we can offer them such as apprenticeships and internships etc.

Yes

EDF Energy has given me so many opportunities not only to develop myself in terms of a life long job but has offered me the chance to do things I never thought I would be able to do. I think that they look after you very well and are always concerned with your wellbeing too. They try to get you to be the best person you can be and help you grow within the business too. The wages aren't too bad and the further you get in the company the more these improve anyway.

I would say that anyone who is interested in the scheme needs to do their homework. Employers want potential applicants to know their stuff about the companies they want to join. EDF energy is part of the wider EDF Group and the sky is the limit for those who have the drive to chase it. Ensure that you practice your interviewing skills with a family member or friend as this may help you. Try to show why you deserve to get a job within the company too and how much you would like to work here.