Electrical maintenance Review

My job role is electrical maintenance and on a daily basis I have been learning how to build electrical circuits such as a lighting circuit, then after building a circuit I do the necessary tests to make sure it runs as intended and to the British standards we follow to make sure its safe to operate. I have been learning installation methods too such as cutting and threading metal conduit to the correct measurement. Another big part of my role is to find faults in a circuit so the problem can be fixed.

I have learned a variety of different skills since joining the apprenticeship for example I have learned how to cut conduit to the required length and then how to bend it if necessary using a conduit bender. I've also learned how to wire up several different circuits such as a lighting circuit, a ring main, radial etc. I also know how to calculate the correct MCB and wire to use for different circuits.

I have always had a keen interest in electricity so to be able to have an apprenticeship and learn more about it is great. I enjoy working out how I'm going to put a circuit together and drawing up the different designs needed such as placement for all the different components and material used and drawing up the wiring diagrams.

The programme structure could do with some improving as we were getting new tasks added in the middle of completing the tasks we were originally given when they would have been better to have at the start of the apprenticeship. Plus the college we attend has had poor structure as our lessons are constantly being changed and some of the work being taught had nothing to do with the assignments set.

I receive a good amount of support from my employer especially over the lockdown periods they have allowed me to work safely from home but kept me up to date with anything happen on site and if I need any help with my college or task work I have my line managers contact details and he's always happy to help

I receive a decent amount of support at work whenever I need help with college work my tutor will go over the work and help me solve the problem and at work my line manager will help me learn a lot of the theory work by discussing it and going through some questions to better my understanding of my job.

I think its a big help because I feel it pushes me to do better to get the best qualification possible and potentially work my way up in the industry by learning as much as possible and improving my practical skills so I can be a competent electrician and complete any tasks I come across.

At work we have access to different sport activities such as rugby, football and we have a gym for people that want to focus on cardio or free weights and weightlifting machines to improve strength and physique. We also get invited to join IET which offers us opportunities to develop our skills and achieve more in our job role.

No

I feel the training could be improved a lot as many of the things you would like to know and learn as an electrician isn't taught here. To go on and install circuits in different areas such as domestic areas you would need to get more training before you are able to do so. The college we have to attend has been a bad experience as the teaching is poor and it has run into several such as not having the staff to teach us correctly and assignments not being handed out correctly or being changed halfway through.

I would recommend them to be themselves and confident. Not to worry about failing because we can learn from our failures and improve from it. Don't be afraid to ask questions if you are unsure about something. Be honest there is no point in lying as they will be able to find out which will then make you look bad and reduce your chances of getting the job.