Apprentice Process Modeller Review

As a process modeller, I work on different models of sewerage treatment works. Learning a lot about each aspect of sewerage treatment works and how they run. We model different things including an estimate of how much water is coming into the treatment works, how much the treatment works can withstand, what levels of different chemicals (e.g. phosphorus) are in the sewerage and what they are regulated to be at for disposal and/or agricultural uses. Also given the opportunity to go to site visits and create a better understanding of different sites and how they work

Developing excel, data analysis, presentation skills. Gaining professional/industry experience and knowledge of the water industry and sewerage treatment works.

It is a good apprenticeship for if you want to get into the water industry. It has a good ability to grow. It also allows you to switch into the network modelling side with the other apprentice at the end of the first year to try out each side and decide which side better suits you. The LSBU part is mainly about construction however and is it not very connected to what you do in work.

The work is well organised and structured and the supervisors and managers are very knowledgeable. The LSBU side is also structured well and easy to follow, however as previously stated more in line with construction rather than hydrology or the water industry in any way. LSBU is also a little disorganised when using APTEM and making sure you know what you need to do etc.

I receive a lot of support from my employers, with frequent review meetings to assess where I am at and what I need to improve/done well/etc. My supervisors and managers are very receptive and happy to help wherever they can. My apprenticeship supervisor is also very good and always happy to help.

The lecturers are very good and happy to answer any questions in lectures or through email. They set up site visits as well and industry speakers. The APTEM skills coach was a little disorganised at the beginning but seems to be nice and supportive where possible. LSBU as a whole have a lot of support options from disability and dyslexia to mental health and such.

I do not think the qualification through LSBU is very well connected to the role. I think that LSBU is focused mainly on Construction (makes sense for being a construction/design course). The only part that is somewhat transferable is the use of AutoCAD and Revit and such programs, however these are not often used in my place of work. I think a better qualification would be something in line with hydrology or engineering or even environmental modelling.

There are networking groups (e.g. disability, men allies, womens, lgbtq+, etc) in these groups I think there are sports teams and such created. As a team, we put on social activities such as bbqs and Christmas lunches, etc. as well as community/volunteering days.

Yes

If they wanted to get into the water business, I think an apprenticeship/graduate program is a good way in and they are a good company who has many opportunities and good people.

There is not much difference than your standard application and interview process. Be prepared for an interview day with a group task to complete. Know your strengths when it comes to those kind of group projects, etc.