Apprentice project engineer Review

My role as an apprentice project engineer involves me doing a lot of research and development work for projects. This can include trying different ways to see what works best and which meets the specifications given to us by the customer. My work also includes me developing the configuration build for such units as our T300 which is a RTU, this can be anything from a simple switch gear automation to faulty automation.

I've learnt and developed a lot of skills in the short amount of time I've been here. I have become more coefficient in many electrical skills such as knowing what size cabling needs to go where and knowing the correct end terminations to use. I’ve also gained skills about my knowledge of electrical components, some components such as relays I didn’t know exactly what they were or how they functioned but now I know an awful lot about them.

I enjoy my program quite a bit. The program which is planned will allow me to see all the different aspects of the business with each different department and teams. Seeing what else is done in Schneider Electric is exciting as it’ll allow me to see if I would like to move towards a different job in the future with Schneider Electric. The current training program also allows me to travel to different Schneider Electric sites and see what the different sites do.

I feel very valued by Schneider Electric, even considering the fact it’s a massive company. When projects are going on I’m constantly ask if I would like to help on some parts so that I see different areas, such as recently being asked to help with a FAT test with customers. When I become fully qualified I will be valued as I’ll be relied upon due to the nation of my role.

The organisation of the program wasn’t very good at the start, being one of the few apprentices at the Chippenham base had a major part of it. There are programmes already made for the other bases with apprentices but there wasn’t one for here as they wasn’t a need for it in the past. So, during my first year there was no structure to my learning. However, after someone took responsibility and our new site director was keen for new apprentices the initial program was developed. After this the program has been well structured with me learning about the products we manage here and what I’ll be working on in the future.

My training provider was a new one they used for me, they’re called EEF. When I first started I wasn’t enrolled to any college courses, but luckily, they got me on the last day. I was also meant to have a face to face meeting with my training provider every 6 weeks. So far, I have had about 4 meetings with them in my just under 2 years of being here. This may have just been my assessor who was bad.

I receive a lot of support from Schneider Electric, especially from my line manager. During the day I have enough projects to keep me busy, but also still get given enough time to focus on my learning and development. Whether this be from using our internal learning library or doing college assignments.

The salary I am on does meet by basics needs. The benefits to my package includes my college travel being paid for which is very helpful and the salary sacrifice scheme that helps me to save for the pension tax free, the company even puts money towards it making it go further. The salary for an apprentice will never be amazing, but thinking as my qualifications are being paid for and in my local the starting salary was very competitive.

There are lots of different opportunities outside of work as events are put on by other colleagues. Events such as games night are hosted in our break room along with different takeaway nights which people do such as fish & chips and curry night. Other events hosted outside work is special occasions like the summer BBQ and the Christmas meal. There is even a photography club that hosts a weekly meeting.

Yes

I would recommend Schneider Electric to a friend due to the great opportunities that this company can offer compared to a lot of others. In Schneider Electric you’re never stuck in the same place, if you want to progress further into the business then it really easy, they have an internal job market and learning portals to help you achieve your goals to get your next dream job.

Tips and advice I would give people applying to Schneider Electric is that you want to show that you’re a great team player. With Schneider Electric you’re constantly working with others, whether they need your help or you need theirs to help you to complete your project. I also recommend learning up on the Schneider Electric brand and what we take pride in such as being one of the top environmentally sustainable companies.