Control Systems Apprentice Review

As a Control Systems Apprentice I help look after the Programmable Electronic Systems on plant. This includes things such as PLC and SCADA systems but also involves some high-level systems on windows based PCs and servers. I perform maintenance tasks on various systems to ensure they continue to function in their proper and correct manner. I also perform modifications to systems to improve their functionality or to correct errors.

I have learned various methodologies used to produce and modify programs for use on SCADA and PLC systems. This mainly involved learning how to use ladder logic and how these system types work. The apprenticeship started with an in depth wiring and testing course in which we learned the basics of electrical engineering including isolation procedures, constructing conduit and trunking systems, wiring up 3-phase motors and relay.

The program I am on is mostly enjoyable for me personally and I believe it would be for anyone who has a similar mind set. I'm a self confessed technology addict who enjoys tearing things apart to see whats inside and how things work. If you have an interest in creating code and creating programs then you should find this programme quite enjoyable.

The program is fairly well structured an as a good pace to it. I started with the basic wiring and testing for the first year as well as the BTech. We finished the wiring and testing within the first year and then moved on to a series of more advanced and focused 10 week courses within different areas of the control systems team which gave us a greater understanding of what each area does and the work involved to keep the different types of systems running. After these courses we were put into our teams on site and began the NVQ work. The BTech course which usually takes 2 years to complete was sped up in the second year so that it could be completed within 18 months and allow us to move onto the Foundation Degree.

Our employer has given me plenty of support for completing the NVQ and Foundation Degree. My first semester of the Foundation Degree course didn't go as well as it could have as I didn't put in as much effort as was required but with some extra time being allocated to revision sessions I was able to get back on track.

As with my employer, the training provider helped a great deal when I began running into problems with the Foundation Degree and were able to help through providing extra revision sessions and further example questions and papers for me to work through in preparation for my exams. I have in the past suffered greatly from anxiety around exam time with this causing me to have to leave the exam room for a period to calm down before returning. After mentioning this to my training provider they were able to move my seating position in the exams to be near the exit to better facilitate this if I needed it.

I feel the qualifications I am gaining help give me a greater understanding as to why things are done in the way they are in my job role. The Foundation Degree goes into greater depth on the workings of the equipment I use and work with in my daily tasks and this gives me greater confidence when it comes to performing my role in the team.

There have been a few extra curricular activities organised by both my employer and training provider. I have not taken part in many of them in any at all because none of them have interested me too much. The one example which springs to mind is the time our training provider arranged a charity sky diving event for both its staff and students.

Yes

There are so many different types of apprenticeships available through them that no matter what it is you want to end up doing there is an opportunity to get a head start at it through Sellafield. Several of my friends had gone through apprenticeships and other training schemes before me and they have all come out the other end of them as successful professionals in their respective fields.

Get to know what it is you want to end up doing. Look at what the company does and see if there is anything that takes your interest. As the company is mainly focussed on the decommissioning of the site and this process is scheduled to take decades there will always be someone working here for many years to come.