ICA apprentice Review

I am an ICA apprentice, this involves looking after the various programmes that control our pumping stations and sewage treatment sites. Day-to-day I will go out to sites with electricians to see how they interact with the site and the different site assets. When a problem arises with the program we are required to look at where it is acting outside of its desired parameters and change it so the site performs as intended.

During my apprenticeship I have been taught how to read and understand ladder logic programming which is the programming language used for all of the sites in severn trent. I have also been taught how to create electrical installations for different purposes on sites such as installing new lighting systems.

I am very happy in my role, I have been made to feel like a member of my team ad have been involved in carrying out maintenance activities on site, this has helped me learn better by getting hands on with the site assets. The company has also been very supportive of me with sorting out personal problems. It has exceeded my expectations with how committed they have been to providing all of the apprentices with training for their role, there have been some gaps in training but they have encouraged us to come forward with anything that we feel we need to complete our apprenticeship.

I am treated in the same manner as a normal employee in terms of reviews, being part of meetings and comm cells, weekly meetings. The electricians I go out to site with involve me in the work they do ad keep me informed as to what they are doing and have asked me to get involved with what they are doing and take part in the jobs they have.

The college aspect of the course was well structured, this was 6 weeks focusing on one topic at a time with a very structured progression path through the course. The assessors were very helpful in advising what needed to be done for each assessment and in giving feedback for areas of improvement. Severn trent has put us on training courses that any other employee would be taken on. However there have been times where it has been unclear as to what training is required to get the appropriate training required to be fully qualified in my role.

I have a one on one meeting with my NVQ assessor every 6 weeks to catch up on how I have been doing in the apprenticeship. We also go over NVQ unit questions, these are part of the criteria I have to fulfil to complete the NVQ qualification. This helps me see where I need to improve the work I am doing and also ask for advice on areas I am uncertain on. These meetings are extremely helpful and have helped me form a good working relationship with my assessor.

I have received all the help I have needed from Severn Trent, they have helped me with dealing with personal problems and medical issues while being completely understanding in every situation. They have always been open to talking or suggesting anywhere else they think I need to look for help such as counselling or doctor appointments.

I am currently living at home so I have few expenses, this has allowed me to put more money into my savings for the future that I would otherwise be able to. I live reasonably close to my main site, about 25 minutes away by car which means I need to fill up roughly every week. If I am required to go anywhere that is further than my main site than I am able to claim money back on any of those travel expenses.

Severn Trent is involved with a few charities and whenever they are helping with an event they send out emails to most of the employees in the company asking if they would like to help. More specific to my role as an apprentice the New Talent team are asked by many schools in the area to take part in careers events or to do more intimate talks with a smaller number of students. With these events they like to ask for the assistance of apprentices to help with numbers but also so we can give our own experience as a selling point for the apprenticeships.

Yes

Because of all the benefits the company provides with the how supportive they are and treating everyone at the company no matter what level they are at as part of the company.

Give examples of when you have shown a strength that would be helpful to the company. Show that you are willing to go above ad beyond what you have been asked to do either in doing more of what they have asked or that you do addition follow up work o tasks.