Control Systems Apprentice Review

My role is to design and help with the commissioning of equipment for use on the railway. Day to day tasks include design work, making copies of drawing packs for use in the commissioning of the equipment and processing records ahead of design work and preparing them for return at the end of a contract.

I have both learnt new skills and developed existing skills. My communication has improved since I started along with my time management. I have also learned a lot about data preparation, the tools used in different CAD packages and have a greater general knowledge of how the railway is operated.

There are occasions when time seemed to drag, especially with some of the more monotonous and repetitive tasks but, on the whole, I have certainly enjoyed my time on the apprenticeship programme with Siemens. What I enjoyed particularly is the wide variety of tasks that I would be undertaking from one day to the next.

At the start of the apprenticeship, there was a little bit of disorganisation, especially when it came to salary going into the second year but this was sorted and has, I believe, been resolved for future intakes of apprentices. Since that though, the rest has been generally very well organised.

My line manager, and the training department at Siemens, have been very supportive of me in my endeavours. This was amplified by the fact that I moved down the length of the country to start the apprenticeship and, when I started my employment, I didn't actually know anyone in the area. My line manager ensured that there was someone available to help me settle in to the team.

The training provider was a bit difficult to deal with a times. I started my apprenticeship already having been to university and got a degree. Even so I still had to take a couple of tests to ascertain whether I could handle the HNC. One of the tests being in the subject I had taken for my degree. I also had to step in when my lecturer tried to fail a coursemate's assignment having read the date wrong himself.

The qualification, for me, was just a box ticking exercise for completion of the apprenticeship. I do not feel it had much of a benefit in any way for me. I am positive that I haven't used any of the knowledge I have gained through the qualification in my job role.

There are plenty of extra curricular activities to get involved in at Siemens. Just one example of this is coffee roulette. Every month, those who have elected to join in receive an email stating who they are paired up with for that month. They, then, get in touch with one another to arrange a mutually convenient time to meet up and have a chat.

Yes

Siemens is a great company to work for with lots of benefits. They also have a great support network. I, personally have found the team that I'm working in to be extremely welcoming. I recently spoke to a person who interviewed me before I started and I didn't remember him but he remembered me.

Don't be afraid to talk about a hobby that may be embarrassing in your application or interview. When they ask about that sort of stuff they are trying to make sure that you have interests outside of work and aren't just going to work yourself into the ground.