Electrical/Electronic Engineer Review

As an apprentice I have predominantly been on site placements. I carry out typical engineering works related to installation, testing and commissioning. I am also currently on a CAD placement to further my skill base and have taken part in promoting apprenticeships. I work for/on the railway providing crucial power supply upgrades.

I came from a very basic background, with little technical knowledge and am now approaching a role as a skilled electrical engineer. I have gained knowledge and experience in electrical engineering and have learnt how to wire, install, test etc. I have also learnt how to produce CAD models for architectural models.

For the most part I enjoy the programme, the work can be difficult and laborious, but I enjoy it. The people I have worked with have made a lasting impression and helped build my skill set and developed me as a person. I enjoy learning whilst doing something and seeing it done, this has allowed me to work and learn at the same time.

Not very. Very little help from the organisation has helped me due to a long placement that I fortunately enjoyed, but during the start of the apprenticeship I struggled with integration due to lack of action on the companies behalf. There was never really a plan in place, until recently where I have had the opportunity to try other things. I feel that there has been a vital lack of support, where words wouldn't lead to action. Promises not fulfilled etc. One major disappointment is the lack of the correct equipment being supplied, as a site engineer I have bought the majority of the tools to do the job and the company are ever reluctant to provide anything. Another is the NVQ process, which is dis-functional at best and doesn't reflect actual competencies. We have struggled to start the NVQ due to poor guidance and support.

This is something that varies. I have had two managers in the time here. The first was great and always had time for us, but I think that the business held him back with what he is able to provide in terms of etc. The second has put together a lasting plan that so far has been thoroughly enjoyable, everyone is on board and engaged to support and teach us their trade/skill. Training can be an issue, such as the NVQ where support has been pretty much non existent. Complaints have been issued for months, where replies are sent telling us to just keep emailing the providers who are outright refusing meetings or relevent support.

Both college and NVQ have been a waste of time for the most part. We had a battle with our first college BMET where we had 4 replacement lecturers in one academic year making progress plummet. One of the replacements didn't even speak English and non of the class could understand him. The final one was unmotivated and didn't know a lot of the subject matter, to which one pupil took the initiative to give us tuition. The second college Derby has been significantly better with far more support, but more effort could be made to provide meaningful tuition. The NVQ hasn't progressed in the whole time we have been doing it as a result of many failings from our provider and training manager, who wont organise a better alternative, but still expects results with minimal to non-existent support.

At the basic level the qualification has given me skills I wouldn't of gained otherwise. These are mainly in the first year when we completed PEO units and gained base knowledge. From then on the qualification is maybe 10% relateable as it doesn't cover industry specific topics. However, some of the advance subjects have given me incentive to research such subject matters.

There are several schemes in place for worktime interaction, but I am unaware of any activities outside of work. I have taken part in a coffee roulette where I met people from within the business for a coffee on a morning. This was a great experience and allowed me to make connections I wouldn't of otherwise. I have also volunteered with the company to provide help to local wildlife and support apprenticeships.

Yes

Because, through all the failings I have managed to progress and gain a skill set that will set me up for life. There are a lot of opportunities, so long as you can be motivated and not let the lack of support get you down. The apprenticeship scheme also seems to be improving with the use of a plan and more support from my line manager who is taking control.

Stay motivated and work through problems, try to communicate as much as possible with as many people as possible. Keeping as much management in the loop as possible is key to solving problems. There are great opportunities with Siemens, you just have to fight for it, get stuck in and enjoy what you do.