Apprentice Plumber Review

I'm an apprentice plumber at SSE. I work on building sites around Scotland. I've worked in new build schools. One of the schools was a specialist school for disabled children, as it was a specialist school it had adapted toilets and sinks to help meet the needs of all of the children. I have also worked at the redevelopment of 4 high-rise tower blocks. Here, we are installing a new district heating system to all of the flats within the tower block. This will provide the houses with a new central heating and hot water system.

Before I had started my apprenticeship I had never touched a tool. Now, I use most of the tools in my bag on a daily basis. I have learned how to install domestic water systems allowing fresh , clean running water through a building. I have also learned how to install wash hand basins, toilet pans, toilet cisterns, showers and kitchen sinks. My apprenticeship has also helped my confidence with meeting new people and having to clearly communicate with them to help carry out my tasks.

I enjoy the type of work we do. It allows me to understand how systems work and how to correctly install them from new. I enjoy working with the team of tradesmen on site, they're always ready to answer any questions that I have and are willing to show me how to correct any mistakes I may have made. I enjoy my time at college as this allows me to understand the theory behind what I do on site and why we do things in certain ways.

I feel valued at SSE. I always get involved in all of the tasks that we are doing on site, this allows me to further extend my knowledge on the job that I am learning to do.

I think that the SSE apprenticeship is well structured. When we first start our apprenticeship we spend 1 week at the SSE training centre in Perth. Our travel, hotel and meals are all paid for by SSE. Throughout this week we are taught how to follow all of the company procedures and we are taught all about the companies safety culture. We are also provided with our PPE which we require whilst working on site. During the induction week we get to meet the other apprentices we will be working with, I thought this was good as it meant that on my first day on site I had someone that I knew. We also get to meet our mentor who will be our main point of contact throughout the apprenticeship. My college time table means that I spend 2 weeks on site then 1 week at college. Every 12 weeks we have a meeting with our apprenticeship mentor who does a review with us to ensure that we are progressing well. He also checks to make sure that we are happy with the work we are doing and helps us if we are struggling to understand anything.

At college we receive a good amount of support. If we have any questions that lecturers are always keen to help us out. They also support us with studying before a test by giving us mock tests and handouts which we can refer to when studying.

SSE support you throughout the apprenticeship. Whenever there are any problems there is always plenty of people that I can phone. No matter the question, there is always someone willing to help me and if they can't answer it, they'll find someone who can and quickly get back to me. SSE have an apprentice mentor who is the first point of contact. They support you whilst both at college and on site. If you have any concerns they work hard to address them. As they meet you every 12 weeks it gives you a chance to talk to them one on one.

SSE provide me with train tickets to get to college, this means that I'm not having to drive any further than my local train station. When I am on site we get a travel allowance which helps cover any of my fuel costs from getting to work.

Before work, I sometimes go to the gym with a tradesman that I work with on site. After work we sometimes for out for a dinner.

Yes

SSE have a great line of support. They also have a great safety culture, if you feel that something isn't safe you don't do it. They will always support you when it comes to safety. SSE also provide you with a full tool kit when you start your apprenticeship which means that you're ready to carry out tasks and start learning how to do your job.

Always approach the application process in a confident manner. Assessment days are about showing that your able to do tasks safely and by following the correct instructions.