Apprentice assistant solution engineer Review

My Day to Day Job role is constantly evolving, the basic tasks that I always have going on are collating and digitising various utilities for sites we are planning on constructing projects. I also very frequently build AutoCAD drawings of areas with new schemes and add topographical data to enable myself and my team to carry out feasibility designs of our projects.

In my two years at severn trent I have gained a level 3 diploma in civil engineering and am one year through my two year HNC in civil engineering. I have been on countless training courses but most recently completed my APM project management course and am awaiting my exam results, this has been a huge ambition of mine to complete and my manager was more than happy to put me forward for the course. Personally, I have grown a huge amount of self confidence in myself and public speaking due to the amount of opportunities I have been given to talk to students at schools, colleges, sixth forms and professional events.

As starting any Apprenticeship the first few months are very difficult having to learn how to actually do your job. Once I got up to speed and began taking on more work my job satisfaction has grown immensely and I can honestly say I love the work I do. I Get on really well with my team and we have various team socials inside and outside of work. The company culture at Severn Trent is one of the best parts of working here, generally we are quite a relaxed company and I frequently end up talking to upper management without it feeling like Im talking to my bosses boss. The programme has more than met my expectations and I look forward to completing what's left of it!

I recently won an award at an internal award ceremony Severn trent holds annually, its a really extravagant event and made me feel more valued than I ever have at any previous employment. The whole company has a quarterly review system, meaning 4 times per year you sit down with your manager and go over what's gone well , what you need more support with and any development you want to put yourself forward for, you are also then given a grade on performance and behaviour.

The induction is excellent, the first week at Severn Trent is spent in the lake district getting to know your fellow cohort and HR department, the following month consist of up skill sessions based on easing the start of full time work in the water industry. The training is tailored to your job role and is spread out across the programme. Once setteled into your team you can rely on the support of your collegues or manager but there is a apprentice HR department ready to give additional help. Overall my experience of the structure has been great, others have had some issues but these have always been rectified.

In my programme I have used a separate college to the rest of the apprentices, the training provider was supportive in setting up my new college but I have had little communication with them. The do offer advise if we need it however.

I receive tonnes of support from Severn Trent as I have alluded to in previous questions. I have regular talks with my mentor and manager as well as plenty of catch-ups with HR. Any training or additional support I have needed has been supplied and they always have a positive attitude when it comes to support.

My salary more than covers my living costs and has allowed me to have luxury's such as an active life style and new car. Generally since starting money hasn't been much of an issue and apprentices receive substantial yearly pay rises. When I have to do driving for work I can claim the miles back and often make a profit on the fuel costs as they factor in ware and tare on my car.

in the last two years I have been part in 2 massive development opportunities; The first was the Brathay apprentice challenge which put a team of us up against apprentices all of the country, we carried out countless school visits and profile raising events as well as taking part in the red nose day call centre and went out and taught at local schools in work time. The second is the water innovators challenge, we will be raising over 10,000 pound from fundraising events we organise and run independently as well as solving real work engineering issues in the hopes of being crowned uk and global winners.

Yes

Working at Severn trent has been one of the best decisions I have made, its greatly improved my prospects for the rest of my life and I genuinely feel passionate about the work we carry out as a company. I couldn't recommend them enough.

The application process is quite indepth, take your time answering the application form and be honest. Prior to the telephone interview make sure you understand severn trent as a company and have done some research. The assessment days are quite intense, make sure you go in prepared and relaxed, whatever the outcome severn trent supply detailed feedback which can help if you decide to re apply.