Electrical Power Network Engineering Apprentice Review

by SSE

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

6.2/10

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

I work in Operational Planning and our role is to access any works that are wanting to be done to our networks and form contingencies and mitigations to make sure that the works are conducted as safely and securely as we can. If they cannot be conducted to our standards we would ask for the works to be delayed or cancelled.

8/10

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

I have learned lots of new skills in relation to analysis of networks and problems. I have also started drawing upon my ability to scavenge information and discern the most accurate data from conflicting records.

9/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

I generally enjoy my programme. I like the variety in the work, courses and education. I never feel like I am stuck doing the same thing day in and day out.

7/10

4. How well organised/structured is your programme?

My programme is well organised as it is run by someone who completed this course. However, I do know that other people doing the same course in other departments haven't had such luck,

6/10

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

My employer is very supportive. Always pushing me to further myself but understanding when I fall short. Yet also appropriately praises me when I exceed expectations. They are also very flexible in their work patterns and generally want to see me succeed.

9/10

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

Very little. Loughborough College is a disaster-class in how to do anything. They rush us through the learning in unrealistic timescales, we didn't even cover certain sections of the coursework in preparation for the assignments previously. The turn around on assignments is unreasonable and puts a great amount of pressure on us to meet unrealistic and arbitrary deadlines. When we are at the college we don't have enough time to seek help and when we are on placement we are forced to have meetings every 10 weeks even when we aren't going to be doing any coursework in that period. So it is a progress check of nothing.

1/10

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

The course so far has been generally relevant and has helped me with a fundamental understanding of physics.

5/10

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.)

Not hugely, there are social media "belonging" groups but, at least where I work, isn't particularly a social hub.

5/10

9a. Would you recommend SSE to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

It has been a great employer to me in my short time here and is an industry in boom so to people who are looking to start a career this is a fantastic environment. As apprentices we are treated fairly and lots of your "superiors" will have been on a similar path to you meaning they understand your experience and are there to help you. They often remember fondly how someone took them under their wing when they were learning and want to cultivate a similar experience for you.

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

Don't be afraid to be seen. If you want to beat out the rest you need to stand up and be counted. Don't go into interviews all shy and nervous as you don't have the time to waste by not letting your interviewers see who you are, you need to show them. Make sure they go home in the evening knowing your name!