Higher Apprentice Review

My current role is within the Project Delivery team at Siemens ITS in Poole. My role includes working with hosted UTC systems to ensure they are fit for purpose when delivered to the customer, as well as configuring desktop PCs and servers for UTC usage as and when customers require.

I've already learnt plenty of skills in my short time working with the Siemens ITS project delivery team. I have learnt about IP addressses, remote access gateways, local and hosted system and I've furthered my existing knowledge regarding Intelligent Traffic Systems such as UTC, SCOOT, MOVA and Stratos.

I enjoy my programme. The work I do is interesting and I feel as though what I am doing is useful and definitely benefiting the company overall. The Project Delivery team at Siemens ITS in Poole have made me feel welcome and are continuing to give me interesting work to do.

My programme is not particularly well structured, if at all. Progression in terms of training and education is not clear and requires clarification. A timeline of rotations has been discussed numerous times but a final, definite version has not been produced. Support meetings have not taken place for over a year and a half, although they are now being scheduled.

The support I receive when at work is generally good. Every department I have worked within has been willing and able to help me out and show me the ropes of each department. Although support with regards to the work-based project and other college related things has been pretty poor.

Support from my workplace with regards to college work hasn't been great. It has been a struggle to get traction and support for the work-based project, to the point where that project has now fallen pretty far behind schedule. Other than this project I haven't required any other as of yet.

The Electronic Systems Design HNC that I am currently undertaking at Bournemouth and Poole College has not really helped me perform better in my role. In my personal opinion I feel that a Software or coding based course would have been a more suitable qualification to aim for and work towards.

There are plenty of extra-curricular activities to take part and get involved in at Siemens ITS in Poole. There are volunteering opportunities, various sports classes and teams to join as well as competitions to take part in, physical and mental wellbeing events and visits to schools for careers fairs and mock interviews.

Yes

Siemens is a large, successful multinational company recognised all over the world for numerous technological and engineering projects. Siemens' Mobility Division Intelligent Traffic Systems (my division) has enormous amounts of potential due to ongoing developments like Plus+, UTC UX, V2X and the development of electric vehicles. The sky is the limit.

The application process is simple and at the very least a good experience. Strength based interviews are conducted with candidates who progress far enough through the application process. The onboarding process is a little tedious but that comes with the territory. Regular work experience opportunities are available at Siemens, which would stand an applicant in good stead.