Graduate - Power Technologies Consultant Masters' Apprentice Review

My work tasks included: Bids and proposals, decarbonisation studies, techno-economical studies, Net Zero strategies. My role included in-depth research tasks into clients, locations and existing technologies, energy consumptions, research into renewable technologies suitable for each client. Data analysis on energy consumption, carbon emissions and existing and future technologies. Cost saving calculations. It involved regular stakeholder meetings, workshops, report writing, collaboration with team members, external consultants and contractors.

I've developed my research skills (literature reviews, report writing, policy alignments) and learnt analytical skills (decarbonisation modelling on excel).

It was good to collaborate and work with team members internally and externally which contributed to my knowledge sharing. I would've liked to develop more analytical skills as an engineer as I felt the role played to my strengths.

The university side for the apprenticeship was very organised and well structured. They had modules, timelines and availability to staff that were experts in their engineering roles. A lot of support as a distance learning student and even went the extra mile to help us with the EPA (End Point Assessment). Siemens, there was no program or structure, I had a mentor and I'd support with their projects, but no opportunity for me to move around the team or even the wider department.

Support with my university work was good. I was able to have 7 hours towards university and my mentor and team members were helpful with university work. When it came to work projects, I mostly played to my strengths but this made it hard for me to learn new things. There should have been a system put in place to learn more analytical skills.

Very good, there was a lot of support on and off campus, they made effort through email communication and face-to-face, they had drop in sessions. And a lot of online resources which were really reliable.

It was focused on a lot of things I did in the workplace. For example, their modules on sustainability and project management really helped in the workplace. The work-based projects were also a grwat way to relate the academic side to my workplace.

There was a Transform event which was involved in networking with clients and volunteering. There was also an Apprentice group called NextUp so we could organise, discuss our apprenticeship and have socials.

Yes

It's a great place to build community and collaboration.

Be willing to learn and put yourself forward for opportunities even if you're not good at it. The opportunities will grow and challenge you to learn.