Finance and Commercial Academy Trainee Review

I prepare and run precise financial monthly reports - these are usually the same each month and contribute towards the financial information of my area of the business. I also attend monthly team meetings in which we are updated about the performance of the business area and how our contributions have affected this.

I have become skilled in using Microsoft Office Excel as well as other Microsoft programs. I also use the accounting software SAP to find and consolidate the information within my reports. As well as this, I feel as though I have learned how to work better in a team and meet specific deadlines set every month.

I really enjoy my programme. I like the fact that I am encouraged to take time aside to complete my apprenticeship as well as practical work experience in the workplace. The work/home life balance is really important to the company, and we are encouraged to socialise with other academy members as well as our colleagues.

It is organised quite well, we attend frequent social events that allow us to catch up and learn from each other, as well as talking about our individual experiences. We also attend training events as a year group which are organised by our line managers, we learn excel skills, team building, and presentation skills.

I receive a lot of support from my employer. As previously mentioned, we are encouraged in our studies and we are given lots of time to learn off the job. My role especially allows me to work flexi time, this means I can balance my work and home life with the full support of my manager.

I receive a lot of support when working towards my qualification. I have the opportunity to pick the way I learn and how frequently I am doing so, I recently completed a classroom learning course in Reading and had the full support of my manager to do so every week.

My qualification allows me to have an understanding of the fundamental aspects of my role. I have found that especially being in a predominantly financial role, there are bits of my job that are reflected in my learning and vice versa. I feel I am improving in my job due to this.

I have taken part in some volunteering work offered by the engineering department. This has been an ongoing process and I am encouraged to attend meetings and create workshops as a result of this. I have also attended induction days with my scheme, where we took part in some team building activities and networked with other members.

Yes

I would recommend Siemens as I feel I am being pushed every day to develop in both personal and professional natures. From my first day here I was welcomed into the team and encouraged to get things wrong and make mistakes, this open-minded take on new employees really pushes you to reach your full potential.

The advice I would give is to be yourself. There are a lot of professional aspects that a person can take on to prove they are worth the job, but Siemens is full of wonderful personalities that really allow connections between colleagues to be made. Being surrounded by like-minded people really allowed me to feel part of the team.