Technical Apprentice Review

Technical Mechanical Apprentice at Siemens, currently on placement in package assembly and test offices. Daily tasks can vary depending on the work I am set; a lot of work I have been doing recently has included creating new part routings and purchasing new tooling/parts from suppliers.

I think the most important skills I have picked up from my apprenticeship are communication skills, from having to contact suppliers and engage in conversations with colleagues. In terms of qualifications I have completed an NVQ level 2 and BTEC level 3 already, I am working on my NVQ level 3 and HNC at the moment. I have also taken part in a lot of internal training courses from crane training to health and safety courses.

I enjoy my general work, obviously some days are more interesting than others but that's the same with everything. The best part about being an apprentice at Siemens is the 4 month placements, I have worked in a lot of departments and bonded with a number of different teams and departments. As an apprentice you also make a lot of friends from your apprenticeship year.

Siemens is a big company so feeling valued can sometimes feel hard to achieve, however this is rare. Within my departments my manager and colleagues are always very appreciative of the work I do and tasks I help them with. I have regular meetings with HR and my managers where we talk about strengths, weaknesses and improvements I can make as well as the work I have done within the placement and what has gone well/bad etc.

The Structure of my apprenticeship has been very good. The initial week induction to the company was efficient and I understood the tasks I would be doing right up until the end of the apprenticeship. For example, I was given a plan for all of my placements for the three years I would be doing them. The NVQ is well organized with regular meetings and portfolio reviews at the middle and end of each placement.

At college it is easy to talk to tutors about any problems you may be having. There is a overall course tutor we can talk to about general issues, but generally talking to the specific subject tutor can help sufficiently.

At Siemens there are a lot of apprentices around the site, for this reason I think everyone is usually very happy to help me with work I do not understand or that I'm struggling with. In terms of NVQ work, there are assessors dedicated to each placement as well as HR who you can ask questions.

I have recently moved out with a friend to a flat in Lincoln, where my work is and the salary is more than enough to cover my costs of living, travel and enjoyment. I often go out on the weekends and still have money to spend on clothes and hobbies while paying my home bills and food.

There are opportunities outside of work like football teams and work nights out etc. As an apprentice there are often opportunities to go on event days etc. I think the best thing is having a group of apprentice friends all with the same salary as yourself so you can plan days out or even holidays with those people.

Yes

Getting my apprenticeship at Siemens has been the best step I have taken into developing my social and work life. I am very independent now and feel like I have had a head start in the real world compared to my friends at university.

Try to get some experience in engineering or mechanical environment before the apprenticeship such as working at a local garage, DT classes at school etc. Make sure you show an interest in the subject and role, willingness to learn and not worry about the specific engineering knowledge you may not know. I also applied for a work experience week at Siemens before the apprenticeship which I think gave me some inside knowledge as well as contact with the HR department which the apprenticeship applications also go through.