Apprentice Electrical Engineer Review

On placement in various departments in the business, shadowing qualified members of the team as well as self learning and doing tasks related to my learning and development. I spend some time working on my NVQ qualifications and attend training courses in Health and Safety, Substation training and Project management training.

Yes, I have learnt many skills including hands on skills as part on my qualifications and placements. I have also developed my skills in reporting, negotiating, presenting, and communicating throughout my time at the business. I have also developed my knowledge through HNC and other qualifications that I have worked towards as part of my apprenticeship.

I really enjoy my programme, the business has allowed me to be part of other activities outside of my programme such as leading STEM activities and being involved with charity events etc. Therefore I can be stretched throughout my time as an apprentice. Some days however do seem long as it can be difficult whilst on placement to always be kept busy. Therefore having NVQ to do and other tasks and self learning can help to fill the time.

The programme is well organised. I have a programme timetable for the three years and know which department I am due to be in at any given time. There are issues once into my placement however as it is dependent on the placement manager in the department as to whether they have a training plan in place of tasks and learning within that department. Sometimes there can be instances where some departments do not have a plan as to what the apprentices should be doing whilst there, therefore this could be improved upon.

I receive varied support from the business. In terms of support from the business overall I have various staff members within the apprentice team who are extremely supportive and will help in anyway they can to make you feel supported in the business. I also receive a significant amount of support from Senior management who are always open to listen if any issues arise. However from my direct line manager I have experienced a change in manager 3 times over the course of my apprenticeship and most of the managers I have worked under haven't really offered a lot of support.

When working towards my qualifications I haven't really required much support, however I was fully aware of the support in place should I have needed it. Whilst doing my qualifications such as HNC the teachers and staff were very supportive, also during my NVQ the assessor is happy to speak to us on the phone regularly if we have questions etc.

I think the HNC qualification forms the basis of engineering that is required for the role, the NVQ qualification is a requirement of my apprenticeship however due to the nature of my role being office based and the nature of our work it was not necessarily beneficial to my role.

Yes there are many extra activities to be involved in. I am STEM lead for the business so attend many STEM events where I can network with other like minded people as well as people from other divisions of our business. I also am part of the sports and social committee which allows me to help organise various social events across the year including parties, family events and other events during the year.

Yes

The company is very much an old fashioned company that look after their staff and a nice environment to work in. They support and fund further training and qualifications very often and offer people progression should they want it. The business is a global business and can offer endless opportunities across the world.

Be yourself, the business is changing with the modern world and allows people to be themselves in their role rather than making people into typical 'engineers' Do your research and be prepared to work hard as you get out what you put in with Siemens. Don't be afraid to get involved with different teams and use the apprenticeship to get a vast knowledge from working with different departments.