Electrical and instrumentation Apprentice Review

From day to day on site I complete my college work. I also assist the instrumentation team on site with maintenance tasks like transmitter calibrations, fire and gas testing but also get involved with various fault finding activity's. During the site outage that occurs once a year I am able to get involved in a vast spectrum of activity's across mechanical, instrumentation and electrical.

I have carried out allot of training courses and on job work that has helped me to develop my skills. I have almost completed PEO level 2 which has given me the fundamental electrical and mechanical skills. For 9 weeks every year I attend west Cheshire college for my BTEC level 3. I have also completed many training courses at National Grids Eakring training centre.

I really enjoy the on job training side of my apprenticeship with National Grid as this is where I feel I pick up the most knowledge and reinforce my learning from the training I receive. The training we receive from the training providers is good and I enjoy learning new skills and building my confidence.

I feel valued by National Grid both on site and during training. I feel I get good appreciation from the my line manager and mentor on site along with the rest of the technicians on site. I have received a couple of appreciate awards during my apprenticeship and I feel its a really makes me feel valued in the company.

The structure of the National Grid apprenticeship is good but I sometimes feel that the structure and organisation of the apprenticeship at certain points in the year can put allot of pressure on apprentices due to the short timespan in which we are given to complete our work. The mentor meeting system is good.

Within National Grid there is a good support network to assist apprentices through there apprenticeship. On site we have a line manager and mentor who support and provides assistance with any issues faced during the apprenticeship. We also have a good support system through the new talent training development specialists at Eakring.

Within National Grid there is a good support network to assist apprentices through there apprenticeship. On site we have a line manager and mentor who support and provides assistance with any issues faced during the apprenticeship. We also have a good support system through the new talent training development specialists at Eakring.

I feel the salary package meets my requirements for my overall living costs as I still live at home and do not have many outgoing costs. My general travel costs to my on job base can be expensive as I travel around 450 miles a week but National grid are soon to be providing me with a work vehicle.

There are good opportunity's outside of work. Whenever there are any events taking place outside of work on site everyone is invited to attend. We also get invited to events taking place throughout the company through email. We are also emailed about all volunteering events, charity events and further learning opportunity's.

Yes

I would recommend National Grid to a friend as it is a great career path which allows you to develop your skills and knowledge while building your confidence and taking on new challenges. National Grid gives you the opportunity to join a team of people who will support you and pass on their knowledge and skills.

Prior to the assessment centre carry out plenty preparation by researching national grid and there operations. Don't build it up to be something it’s not as this will just make you nervous. I found the assessment centre experience well organised and enjoyable as I met lots of interesting and friendly people there.