Wind Turbine Technical Apprentice Review

My apprenticeship trains me to become a wind turbine technician, involved in the maintenance and operation of wind farms around the UK. My daily tasks are usually service, but can include troubleshooting faulty components, retrofits, escorting inspection teams, and general maintenance of the wind farm. I have worked predominantly offshore in this role, and work with technicians right up to management, completing paperwork and engineering tasks.

I am working to gain my NVQ City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Power Engineering - Wind Turbine Operations and Maintenance, and have nearly completed all necessary tasks and written work to achieve this. We also are trained internally to work safely at height, with electrical systems, on mechanical and hydraulic systems, and complete competencies throughout our work. We have also developed our skills in the field during this time, working as part of a service or troubleshooting team, and how to work as a professional of the business.

I do enjoy the programme, and have worked with some decent colleagues from many different backgrounds. Working within the service and troubleshoot teams is enjoyable. It has met my expectations, however sometimes, it has proven difficult to sort issues out when moving sites, and not necessarily having the same mentor during the experience.

I have felt valued by Siemens, especially when I was a new starter in the business. I have learnt that working hard and attempting to improve situations has gained me a good opinion amongst the work force as an apprentice, and have tried my best in situations. we do get recognized for that by management at times, and it does make me feel positive about my work when this happens. This hasn't always been the case, where sometimes I have felt under appreciated on site, and this impacts you, as a person, as it can make you question your impact to the business. Overall, I have felt more valued than not.

It was quite an unorganized programme in the beginning, as it was a new programme and some things needed ironing out. But I can say that it has improved since I started, and there is more support from managers and team leaders too. I think they are trying to improve the organisation of the apprenticeship programmes all the time and ask for feedback too.

The support is there if we ask for it, we have an external assessor for the NVQ programme and just have to await a reply with that. I also have emails of the assessors and have been told to email them if i have any problems with my work or i need help with anything too so i am definitely happy with the amount of support i get in my apprenticeship.

Within Siemens, I have encountered problems with the job before and my manager was a big help to rectifying the tough situation. My main criticism is we don't really have mentors when learning on the job - or at least not a set mentor. I think this could be better managed and it would be good if they took the apprentices feedback on board with this topic too.

There is no criticism about our salary or package as an apprentice. I have been looked after whilst working for siemens, providing us with allowances for working away, and a company card for using on hire cars, fuel, and accommodation. We do not get a food allowance on the company card, however you do as a travelling technician after your apprenticeship, that's not particularly a criticism.

Not loads when working around the country. There are the occasional operational excellence meetings in Newcastle, and company events held in Newcastle, but we cant always get involved due to working away sometimes. We do get told about the opportunities though, so they are there, however it's very difficult when moving around a lot so this is not necessarily the company's fault.

Yes

I have enjoyed my time with siemens, and wouldn't change working for them. Every company has ups and downs, however I feel siemens will work on improving the downs, and hopefully the apprenticeship for candidates after me will meet those points. I couldn't reccomend it any more and if someone applied i don't think they'd regret it either.

Write a good CV, spend time on it. Focus on the business, and the interview process, what you may be asked about. Be keen, and get to the open days prior to this, and stay focused, and have confidence in yourself. Ensure that you enjoy the experience and if you aren't taken on, maybe ask for feedback and learn from the experience for anything in the future you apply too.