Instrumentation Technician Review

As I'm currently in my first year of my apprenticeship I am based at the training provider STW is partnered with. My day to day role involves completing my performance of engineering operations qualifications and one day in the week I will complete my BTEC qualification. When I am on-site I am partnered with my mentor who has a large amount of experience in the same role, I am shown how to complete tasks involved with my role and have the chance to complete them myself.

During my time with the training provider and whilst on-site I have learnt new skills and built on existing skills. Recently I am learning about the eletrical and mechanical principles of engineering. I have also built on the foundations of my existing skills such as electronics, and developed new skills in instrument control and automation (Plcs and instruments)

So far along my apprenticeship I have enjoyed it extremely, from the learning at STW's training provider and on-site experiences to working and learning with other apprentices, building relationships within the business and working as a team. The opportunities through the apprenticeship such as events and challenges and the lake district visit just add to my enjoyed experience in my apprenticeship so far.

Apprentices are extremely valued by severnt trent and are viewed as important to the companies growth and future through our outlook in the business being newly employed, allowing us to look at aspects differently compared to set ways in the company. When I met my manager he was extremely helpful and made me feel very much valued, setting out a development plan for me to learn on-site and organising all my equipment and tools I would need when on-site. Also setting out my long term plans after my apprenticeship and whether I would like to continue on with further education or into a higher role.

The organisation of the apprenticeship set by severn trent is done extremely well, from the planning of our first year at our training provider to the structure of our BTEC continuing into our second year alongside our NVQ's in the second and third year. Whilst at the training provider the organisation and structure doesn't meet the same standard as severn trent. There are times where time is taken from you due to poor planning from the training provider and occasions where you start a new unit and its been swapped on the new day for something irrelevant. There are also instances where lectures fail to turn up. Though this doesn't happen usually it is still enough to affect my programme when at the training provider.

When in lectures whether it is in my BTEC qualification or PEO qualifications I generally recieve a good amount of support from lecturers when it is needed. When I need to dicuss something with the student liaison or deal with a problem more times than not it is solved with a positive result. There are times where support it absent and problems arise, though most of these problems get resolved, it takes a while to do and still affects the learning when training at the provider.

I receive a great amount of support through my employer, through the apprenticeship team, hr, management, apprentice champions and mentors. Whenenever I have had a problem and made it aware it has always been resolved quickly and positively. We are actively contacted by the apprenticeship hr team and our managers for feedback to see if they can help us further and improve anything within our programme.

The salary is extremely good for an apprenticeship, allowing me to actively save a reasonable sum every month whilst paying my bills and spending my money on my own personal activities and other things. The pension scheme is very good also considering severn trent will put double of what you pay into it each month, allowing me to organise my pension effectively at such a young age.

There are plently of opportunities outside of work, such as apprenticeship events, school engagement, community engagement and charity days. Being allowed to attend all these events is a great opportunity to branch out and make new relations to further grow within my careers. It is also a great opportunity to to work with charities such as water aid in events like mountian climbing and such to raise money and awareness.

Yes

It is a great opportunity to start a career and earn money whilst gaining qualifications and experience at a company that is regarded as one of the best. Your personal growth and career development is always taking seriously by the company and they actively contribute towards it.

Actively look at their apprenticeship website as it holds a vast amount of information that will help you apply for their roles, also do your research on Severn Trent and what they are about (goals and mission statement).