Control Systems Apprentice Review

I work within a control systems PLC and SCADA team based on site. This team looks after a wide amount of systems on site. On a day to day basis this involves carrying out maintenance and inspections on the systems, attending breakdowns on the system, and performing minor modifications to the systems.

I have learnt plenty of new skills during my apprenticeship. Prior to starting this apprenticeship I had no knowledge of coding and control systems, and a limited knowledge on electrical systems. During my time I have learnt how to code in various programming languages, as well as expanding my knowledge on standards and increasing my electrical based knowledge

For the most part I enjoyed my programme. My first year was very different to the rest of my apprenticeship, as it was electrical based training with the training provider and not really related to what I would be doing on site with control systems. However once I was based on site and working with my team, I found work a lot better and my training was a lot more relevant and helpful.

I feel that the first year with my training provider was not well structured. Work was dragged out longer than necessary and completing write-ups to meet the requirements weren't fully explained until towards the end of the year, when it became more of a rush to complete them. Once I was based on site and my actual employer was overseeing my training, the programme became more structured. We undertook four projects in the 2nd year that were well structured, and for the rest of my training whilst completing my NVQ I had clear deadlines and targets, as well as having regular reviews to monitor my progress.

I have received a lot of support from my employer whilst completing the apprenticeship. My employer set up regular meetings to track my progress and regularly checked in to see how I was doing. I had support from both my team and team leader in completing my NVQ, and they ensured that I had suitable tasks that would meet the requirements within the deadlines.

I don't feel I received much support from my training provider until the last few months of my apprenticeship. My assessor for the second year was not reachable to ask questions until deadlines were passed and then she would rush meetings and assessments 'to keep us on track'. Part way through my apprenticeship my assessor left, and we were not assigned a new assessor until we were a number of months behind review dates and the training provider realised we did not actually have an assessor. We were then repeatedly assigned a number of new assessors who all left and we were not informed and so again we were left trying to contact someone who did not work for the training provider anymore. In the last few months we were assigned a new assessor who worked to sort out what had previously been done, and he kept us on track. Other than those last few months, I received no support.

My qualification has helped me to understand the processes behind the work I carry out on site. I have an understanding of a wider variety of tasks, such as the electrical side, and therefore I can have a wider knowledge of the systems I work on rather than just the control system aspects.

Yes, there are some extra-curricular activities to get involved in. Whilst I was on my apprenticeship, I took part in the Tall Ship Apprenticeship Cup. This is a week on a tall ship, competing against other apprentices from employers all over the country. It gave me a lot of new skills, and allowed me to meet other apprentices, as well as being a really good unique experience. I also was a member of the apprentice council, which is another way of getting involved in extra-curricular activities.

Yes

I felt that I was well supported throughout my apprenticeship and it has provided me a lot of opportunities to develop my skills and qualifications, for example Sellafield are funding me to complete a degree in Plant Engineering. There are a wide range of apprenticeships, and so there will be an apprenticeship that suits most people.

When applying really sell why you want to do an apprenticeship and what you can bring to Sellafield. Make sure you know about what the company does and try and research some of the bigger projects they are undertaking which you can mention at interview stage. If you don't have a lot of knowledge on the area your apprenticeship is in, make sure to do background research, they won't expect you to be experts but having a little bit of knowledge will give you an advantage and something to talk about.