Instrument Apprentice Review

I shadow the instrument technicians in their job as they carry out the maintenance/repair work around site. I work with flows, temperatures, pressures, levels etc. and the fire and gas equipment and make sure that they are calibrated correctly and check they are working as they should and in good working condition. I am sometimes given the job to do, but with the technician supervising to make sure I am doing the job correctly

I have learnt how the whole DCS/ESD/Fire and Gas system works and how the instruments are connected to it. I am working towards doing my HNC in electrical engineering and slowly building up my knowledge of what I can then use in my job. I am also completing a log book about once a week where I write up about what I have learnt and extra information I have found out about how certain instruments work or similar things. I have also gained vital working relationship skills, building up my confidence and learning how to interact with people in a working environment.

It depends on the day, it depends on who I am shadowing that day. There is a paperwork involved in the job which I cannot get that involved in so if the person I am going with that day has a bit of paperwork to complete then I have to wait around a bit which isn't very interesting (though I can do some college work if I have some to do). The team is good to work with and I enjoy working with them as we have a good working relationship.

I work for Centrica, under the British Gas company. I do not feel that valued in my area on the plant. Talking to past year apprentices, they seemed to have a lot more support from the team and the company to help them progress and make sure they are learning. There are some of the team that are helpful and make sure to ask me questions on what I'm doing to make sure I'm learning but mostly I don't fully understand what I need to do to further my learning and how much I am meant to do compared to how much the company will tell me to do. Centrica as a company are happy to have me on the apprenticeship as it shows they include girls and I am happy to be involved in promoting apprenticeships.

There is not really much structure to the programme. In the first year you are at college full time which is okay, but until you get on site and start the job you don't actually know what your job entails (or I didn't anyway). When you are at site there is a clear structure of when you are at work and when at college, but it is unclear how much I am then meant to do towards my apprenticeship and how much the company tell me to do. For example with training, I think I am in charge of when I do my training but I have not been told how to use the training programme and there seems to be a sort of structure to when I do certain courses (such as compex in the 4th year) but I have not had an guidance on it.

Furness college are very supportive, they are always happy to help if I have any problems. The lectures do not seem that brilliant though and basically just give you what you need for the exam rather that teaching you what you need to know for the job. The person in charge of the apprenticeship side is quite helpful as they have told me what I need to do in stages, though I do have a bit of unclearness on the later parts. I would also like more meetings to make sure I am up to date with everything. He also has meetings with the representative from my employer but I do not get any feedback from these even though I have to sign the sheets.

My line manager doesn't seem to be too bothered about what I am doing, and not making sure that I am learning. For previous years, it sounds like they got more support from the line manager (and the rest of the team). There is no HR team anymore which makes it hard to know who to contact with HR problems (such as pay etc.). My mentor is very good as I have become friends with her and so feel happy to talk to her about any problems I have and she can help me in them and help me learn when I am working with her. The team are helpful in supporting me (in the most part), by testing me on what I am learning and making sure I am gaining skills.

The salary is very good. I travel 50 miles to get to work and so spend a bit on petrol but also stay at a house in Barrow a couple of nights a week. My salary covers this and gives me enough left over to start saving for the future. The salary goes up each year of my apprenticeship too which is nice and I also receive a bonus once a year in April time.

I have been involved in a few events that are used to promote apprenticeships. I was involved in a big bang fair at the local college talking to school children about the Centrica apprenticeship and giving them some engineering challenges to do. I have also had the opportunity to go down to London to attend the national apprenticeship awards that Centrica and British Gas were sponsoring which was a good experience where I got the opportunity to meet more people higher up in the company that are not based at Barrow.

No

I think it is a good apprenticeship but I think there are better ones that are more focused on your learning and have more people to guide you and support you. I would still recommend that they take an apprenticeship but to look into other companies too.

I would talk them through the job and make sure that it is what they want to do. Make sure to ask lots of questions and get a good understanding of the apprenticeship. Take your time in the applications process and make sure to get an understanding of the company before the interview. At the assessment day, do not worry about it, but just enjoy it and get involved and stuck in.