Technical Specialist Trainee Review

My role within the company is as part of a technical support team which provides technical advice to a specific plant. On a day-to-day basis I will typically produce and review technical papers. I also attend meetings with plant personnel to ensure regular interface with the operations team. Furthermore, I assist my manager in managing the budget of our research and development portfolio.

The company has provided me with lots of training to ensure that I am suitably qualified to undertake my role. I have learned skills such as how to conduct a risk assessment and how to work safely in a nuclear environment. I have also developed my communication skills through tasks such as problem solving as a team, and having regular contact with contractors who are conducting research and development work.

I have settled in well at the company and enjoy my day-to-day job. I am given packages of work that encourage both personal and professional development. I am also given appropriate time to prepare for upcoming exams and assessments, as required for my degree. I have recommended the programme to many sixth form students in my local area, as I believe it is a fantastic alternative to going to university.

The training provider generally provides quality lecturing with the aim of achieving success in the degree I am studying for. The company I am employed by is fully aware of my educational commitments and makes allowances for these. The more disappointing side however is the apprenticeship work itself. I am required to submit portfolio entries against a set of criteria which have changed a handful of times since I started. The assessor who reviews these has also changed twice.

My employer offers fantastic support for apprentices and the workforce in general. I have been given a mentor with whom I can address any issues I may be having inside or outside of work. The company is also currently promoting a mental health initiative at the moment where my colleagues and I are encouraged to have the conversations and attend support sessions provided free of charge if required.

I am given good support. Lectures are delivered to a generally high standard on a weekly basis. Most lecturers have time to take questions and fully explain things that students may be struggling to understand. Exams are generally well written and are a fair assessment of the work studied during the semester.

The work studied whilst progressing towards my degree is not always entirely relevant to work, however at its core there are principles I can often apply in the workplace. An example of this was when I could apply maths learned in a mechanics module to a work package where a tank had to be emptied at work. Achieving the degree will also allow me to progress to a higher wage.

The team often holds social events where we are encouraged to attend, to get to know each other outside of the work environment. We are also encouraged to join a relevant institute, where we can have the opportunity to speak with industry leaders at events outside of work. Finally, I am a STEM ambassador which involves going out to local schools and participating in events to show children the positives of a career in the engineering and science industries.

Yes

It is a positive place to work with extremely interesting projects set up for the next 100 years. There is plenty of opportunity to come in as an apprentice or graduate and progress through a career path that you want for yourself. It also goes above and beyond in many aspects for the welfare of its employees.

If applying for SL as an apprentice, I would first decide on which apprenticeship is right for you. SL offers a variety of apprenticeships for a range of different people. Ensure you have the appropriate qualifications before beginning the application process. Something that helped me greatly was managing to get work experience with the company approximately a year before I started. This was very beneficial in interviews etc.