Craft Apprentice Review

I am a craft apprentice which means I will be workshop based, I am sent around different sections of the business learning different engineering skills such as CNC turning, milling, grinding and fitting. Along with this I am on day release where I attend Lincoln college studying level 3 NC in mechanical engineering, on completion of this course I then have the option of studying further and do the HNC. Daily tasks consist of hands on experience working with the companies products in this case we build Gas Turbines, working with qualified and experienced engineers who are eager to pass on their knowledge. We are presented with a mentor in the first week of our apprenticeship and can get in contact with them whenever we feel we need assistance. Our responsibilities increase as the apprenticeship progresses, so in our first year we are at college full time, second year we go into the workshop 4 days a week and begin to learn about the job, in our third year after some experience we are granted more freedom with what we can do and may even be offered overtime if required, by the end of year 4 we will be able to work alone and be trusted with high value products. I believe this is one of the best apprenticeships there is to offer and for that reason I pursued a career with Siemens after multiple times of rejection because the apprenticeship so well sought after.

I have learnt so many new skills in the short time with Siemens, I have also developed existing skills from previous experience in engineering and believe the company have made me more valuable as an employee. I completed Level 2 NVQ and first year of level 3 NC in engineering in my first year with the company, currently in my second year I have begun my level 3 NVQ and completing the second year of level NC. My target by the end of the apprenticeship August 2019 I will have complete NVQ level 2 and 3 PEO and have level 3 NC and Level 4 HNC in mechanical engineering. The company has also put me through multiple courses such as crane training, asbestos, safe working, pedestrian stacker, abrasive wheels and more. Already I have learnt so much about the product we make, different engineering working techniques, and general workmanship that will set me in good stead for time to come.

I really enjoy my job, getting out of bed in the morning isn't hard at all, this is career I have wanted for a very long time and appreciate how fortunate I am to have the opportunity and prospects provided to me by Siemens.

Siemens are always willing to invest themselves into the employees who are willing to invest their time and efforts into Siemens. With a company like this you get out what you put in and believe everyone has the ability to succeed in this company.

the overall programme is very well organised and well managed, communication with our training coordinators is regular and easy. Only disadvantage is the college we have to attend, the organisation and structure there could do with improvement as proven with its more recent Ofsted inspection.

As much as is required, if we need assistance or advice or we need to do is ask and its always provided, I have not had an issue yet that hasn't been resolved by a quick visit to my training coordinator.

My employer is providing my training so same as 6a.

As apprenticeship salaries go its one of the best there is, as a more matured apprentice I have a lot more financial responsibilities than most apprentices joining straight from school so money has been tight during the course of apprenticeship so far but it was to be expected and will be worth it come the end of the course.

The company have plenty out of work activities going on all the time, every time I log on to my email I see activities that employees within the company are organising, for instance at Christmas we can do a sponsored Santa fun run for charity with Siemens.

Yes

I have recommended Siemens to my younger brother because of the great prospects and training that are provided by such sought after company in so many different competitive markets.

Advice I try to live by is you will get out what you put in, so if you work and listen hard you will be successful in what you want to achieve as long as you remain focus on what you want.