Trainee Engineer Review

by SSE

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

7.4/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

A mix of learning on the job on site with craftsman and studying at college working towards qualifications

8/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

I have gained a qualification in electrical engineering and know a lot more about the network in my local area

7/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

Being left to organise your own work to complete objectives and pick areas which you prefer to learn. Everyone is friendly, willing to help with any questions you have. There is no limits on locations or areas of the business you want to work towards.

8/10

4. How well organised/structured is your programme?

A week long induction with training provided, regular review meetings with a mentor and manager to discuss progress. College is either one day a week or a block every so often. Training courses are based throughout the trainee programme which encourages you to try out the new skills on site.

8/10

5. How much support do you receive from your employer?

Assigned a mentor who is to support you with questions, issues or work. Learning team manager can escalate any higher issues or questions you have. College have their support systems too as well as the L&T team within SSE.

8/10

6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

College is split, the first 2 years working towards electrical engineering qualification which I completed with no issues, even though the majority of this moved to virtual due to the covid pandemic. I have now started the Project management course so hopefully that will be the same outcome.

7/10

7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

The theory learning from the HND qualification helps in understanding some of the work on the network and the project management course will provide experience in progressing into a project manager job after the trainee programme finishes.

7/10

8. Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)

A lot of my time has been limited due to the covid pandemic, I have attended some virtual Offload mental health sessions that SSE organised. During the induction, we participated in team bonding exercises including raft building and a quiz.

6/10

9a. Would you recommend SSE to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

It is a good company to work for which is moving in an exciting direction with so much media coverage on climate change, wind farms, COP 26 and electric vehicles recently.

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to SSE?

Do some research on the energy industry and renewables, read about what craftsman do (jointers, linesman and fitters) and if anything peaks your interest, try to work towards what area you want to learn about.