Electrical Applications Engineering Apprentice Review

My role is to design switchgear for a customers order. I design it so our factory in Germany can then manufacture it. This means that day to day I create drawings for all the different parts like the external and internal factors and what it is looks like in a simple sense for the the customer. We also create wiring diagrams so our top box manufacturer can wire them when it reaches that stage in the product line.

I have learnt tons of new skills. For example how to use a lot of new software like CAD and NX Tools. I have also learnt a lot about testing when we go to test the equipment. I have also leant some social skills to help my networking and I have grown more confident but I am still working on it. I am getting better at writing emails to people in professional way at first it was hard because before this I didn't use to email anyone on a day to day basis so it has really helped my communication skills online.

I enjoy this programme very much and it helps to have other apprentices around you because they understand what your going through and they are learning at the same level as you do. My team is a very good team as we know when to stop for a chat and when to carry on with work. It is a better team than I would have expected. But sometimes I do feel like some of my colleagues forget that I am an apprentice and i am still learning so i wont be able to do everything straight away and as quick as they can.

For our programme you have to be very organised because we have multiple projects on at a time but that would be when your a full time engineer. Currently I have 2 projects on at once and college and stegta work so I have to stay organised or it will become overwhelming but sometimes you cant prevent that.

With my employer I have a growth talk every month to see how I am progressing in my apprenticeship. In this talk we set targets of what I should aim to do for next month such as finishing a project or going to one of the factories. the target I have every month is networking where I try to expand my network in the offices. My employer is very busy but they always help me when they can, i do have mentors that help me on a day to day basis but if neither of them are in then my employer is happy to help.

I do get allot of support from the majority of my teachers but one has been a bit difficult as he is a new starter and is still adjusting to his new job. Unfortunately this has also effected a lot of the people in my class. But now it has gradually started to get better its just sad its took so long as it is almost the end of the yeah. hopefully he carries this on in the next college year.

At the moment with the subjects we have I don't feel like we are 100% learning about the job we are in. Only one or two of our subjects touch on what we are doing. But I personally enjoy learning about new things because expanding your mind is always a good thing to do.

There are the Next Uk meetings but they seem to all be on a Tuesday when I'm in college. Also there are international women's day talks and talks on PRIDE and the LGBTQ+ that I would love to join and learn about but they are all on a Tuesday. Other than this there aren't many extra curricular activities that I can participate in

Yes

I would recommend siemens to a friend because it is a massive company with so many opportunities'. It is a very welcoming company where everyone respects each other and a place where you can expand your mind to become a better employee for anywhere. It is a very good opportunity for anyone to experience.

Just be yourself because they view everyone as individuals who all have different backgrounds and futures. They enjoy having employees with different characteristics to make stronger teams and a more diverse work team. This is because if you employed the same person for each job then the company wouldn't grow, no new ideas would be put into place and it would just be the same thing happening all the time which is boring. Everyday should be a school day where you learn new things.