Alpha Specialist Support Team Member Review

My role is an alpha specialist support member. I offer support and advice to people around the site about alpha issues. Usually my day involves completing x-ray assessments of waste and sentencing them to decide how best to deal with them based on the wastes physical and chemical composition.T his will occasionally involve contacting team leaders to get advice based on their experience on site. After this I will usually work on one of the assessments I am doing such as reviewing the waste that was rejected before 2016 since the criteria for waste to be considered acceptable has changed over time. This involves a spread sheet and a written report of my findings.

I have learnt many skills such as how to use the excel spread sheet formulas. In addition, I have had to learn how to use the software we use locally to record all the information about the waste. I have developed my communication skills as I frequently attend meetings to offer technical support so have to be able to provide information to people in the format they require.

I thoroughly enjoy the job role aspect of the programme. I feel like I have gained a lot of experience and transferable skills that I can utilise in other aspects of my life. The degree side of my degree apprenticeship has not been enjoyable due to the volume of issues we have encountered and struggled to get resolved.

The apprenticeship was not organised to begin with. We did not receive any information for 3 months while we had our roles at the company. We only received the information after the apprentices organised a meeting with the man in charge of the apprentices in order to request it. When we did receive it, we were told a few weeks later that the apprenticeship competencies we had been given were wrong. We were then given a second set. Then they decided to revert back to the original set. I would call this unorganised. However, now that I have the correct competencies I know what I should be doing and when.

My employer definitely offers the right amount of support. I have a weekly 1 to 1 session with my line manager where she assesses my current work situation and always asks if I feel over or under worked. My line manager has also encouraged me to do a secondment to meet the apprenticeship competencies I am missing.

Certain people who offer support go above and beyond to try and help with the issues associated with the degree side. I am always allowed time to attend exams and study leave. My employer has even offered to provide me with a subject tutor if I am struggling with my work.

I don't think the training helps me to perform at all. I am studying for a chemistry degree however the job role I am currently doing has very little to no chemistry content. This was due to a last minute change of plans where the scientific pathway apprentices like myself were no longer placed in the labs due to them moving to an external contractor in the near future.

I am a STEM ambassador so I can attend STEM events in schools to offer support. I am also part of the trainee charity challenge group where we organise fundraising activities across site for a chosen charity. I receive invitations for networking events in my local area through organisations such as RSC (Royal Society of Chemistry).

Yes

The company has offered a wide range of opportunities, the main one being studying for a degree while working and being paid. The company looks after the apprentice s they are seen as the future generation of the company so they do everything they can to ensure we all meet our qualifications.

Do your research about the company, learn the history and the future plans. This will benefit you in the interviews. Also, try and get work experience. It is difficult to get a placement on site but even a company similar that has a nuclear background. The more experience the better.