Electrical Apprentice Review

My role is an electrical apprentice. I went to college for a year to learn the basic theory of my trade then came on site in april 2017 to follow round my mentor and learn from him. I now can carry out tests on pumps and motors to determine faults and am continuing to learn from my team.

On starting my apprenticeship i knew barely anything about electrical maintaining or the severn trent systems. Since starting i feel i have not only developed my knowledge and practical skills on these areas but also my comminication and team working skills.I can now carry out routine tests and know what tests need to be carried out on what on what equipment. I can carry out basic fault finding on faulty panels and will add my input if I feel necessary.

I feel I enjoy my programme a lot, since starting i have made new friends at college and within the workteam. I feel i am a valuable member of our team and enjoy learning what my job will entail at the end of it. However there are some times where i feel more specific directions are needed to be given to me to develop me as an apprentice.

I feel very valued within my team. When i recognise i can assist someone in a certain way i will always do so to make sure i am not thought of as just a burden. Recently i have been given the job of keeping track of the spares and parts that are delivered which has given me some responsibilty on site and gives me a feeling of self appreciation.

At one time i felt the apprenticeship was very well structured and had set dates and we were told what training courses were needed and what had a timetable to abide too. However more recently we have been left to our own devices without actually covering what has to be done and what is required of us. Leaving me to have to ask members of my team what is needed and what training is beneficial to me.

The college supported me not only in the 8 months i was there but after that and even up to this date. When at college they would help make sure you understood what you were doing and made sure you had a clear understanding of the work. Now im back on site i have my assessor come out and regularly check my progress and give me goals to avhieve for our next meeting.

I get a lot of support from my employer as well. When on site all of the team help me to understand the job and what is required of me. My mentor on site will make sure i understand the fault and how to find it as well. I have regular meetings with my manager to discuss my progress and what the next steps will be.

I feel my wage packet more than suits my costs. As a young adult I live at home and only pay for my phone bill and car expenditures. Since joining i have started paying rent and paying into the pension and shares scheme and even with that i still have more than enough money to get by on however were i to move out of home this could change.

I am regularly told about volunteering events within the company such as school events or community projects. However community projects are rare in my area and the volunteering for school days is always dependent on work and location as i live far away from most of the events.i would prefer there to be more local events and more community projects so i can get on board and help out.

Yes

Its a fun place to work and the oppurtunities are endless. Since joining i have developed massively as a person and can see the change in myself. I would like my friends so go through the same transformation as well as learning a skill and a trade. I already have and will continue to talk about how good a place this is to work and how every member of the team is easy to approach and work with.

My only real advice is to jump in with both feet. Dive in and listen to those around you as i have found them to be a fountain of knowledge and all are eager to share that with you if you show an interest. As long as you show willing and absorb the knowledge from around you then you are bound to learn this job and value it.