Apprentice Assistant Solutions Engineer Review

My job title is 'Apprentice Assistant Solutions Engineer'. I attend a training provider on a one day weekly basis and I attend my company office on a 4 day weekly basis. I work with supportive employees on projects relating to tackling issues within Waste Water treatment sites and facilities, in which I have to research different solutions with different drivers to economically tackle all issues. These solutions require extensive research in which specialist programmes are used, and their drivers can vary due to the nature of the structures of the programmes.

I have developed a great understanding of how a large company functions, including all the different departments involved. I have learnt new methods of presenting my work to experienced colleagues. Currently I am attending a training provider (EEF) for my HNC and PEOs (Performing Engineering Operations).

My colleagues within Severn Trent, including my line manager are very supportive as they have a respectful attitude to new starters. However, I can say the complete opposite of my training provider (EEF) and upper HR management, due to their different approach with new starters.

My colleagues and Line Manager continue to support me in my everyday tasks, as the tasks require certain support and feedback, I therefore feel valued in my team. However, external recognition is very poor, as there is a negative stereotype of apprentices simply due to their younger age or lack of experience. Sometimes I feel that there is no trust due to my role being the lowest within the company.

Induction with the training provider (EEF) was very poor as they did not expand on the different courses in which we were going to attend. The programme itself has a weak foundation due to the strictness of the training providers management and majority of the courses do not relate to my current job role. There is great difficulty in trying to change to a different programme based on your discipline of engineering. There is no clear or structured path after the programme would end, causing confusion when deciding my current pathway.

The training provider (EFF) are completely inadequate and incompetent in delivering teaching or support to any apprentice, regardless of their duration within their programme. They are unnecessarily strict casing an unwelcoming and negative environment and they do not strive to change this as they continue to ignore the feedback provided. Tutors within the training provider are disrespectful and hypocritical, apprentices are treated like school children and they continually ignore our value in our companies. The standard of teaching is disrespectful and horrendously poor, due to lack of knowledge of the tutors and facilities within the training provider are generally poor due to their internet blockages.

My Line Manager has continually supported me during my programme and has done so without asking. The HR team has not provided me with any support, nor do they have continual contact. Any issues during the programme are overlooked and disregarded. Guidance with any problems are poor, therefore it is expected for a new starter to make mistakes but they ask as to why the mistake took place initially.

The salary is adequate and it is enough to survive on if a new starter plans to live away from their home.

There are many different courses available, which are paid by the company itself, these courses include IOSH, project management training or hydraulics training. There are volunteering days available to attend, and there are different charities to participate in, such as Water Aid.

No

The current training provider (EEF) and HR management must appreciate the concerns of the apprentices, and must implement changes. The nature of the training provider (EEF) is aggressively strict and the environment within it is absolutely poor, due their negative approach and ineffective management.

I would recommend a new starter to appreciate the fact that there will be certain difficulties in joining due to the training provider's (EFF)approach with apprentices. I would recommend them to thoroughly read all reviews relating to the programme.