Systems Engineer Higher Apprentice Review

My role as an apprentice is to help design, develop, and troubleshoot systems, as part of a team. This may involve testing a system and using my problem-solving ability to identify what is wrong, and liase with my team as to how to solve this, or demonstrate to them my proposed solution.

I have improved my documentation skills - learning how to write up a design document for a system for example. Furthermore I have built upon my software development/engineering skills - learning about new tools and languages on the way. Finally, I have most definately improved my team player ability - learning how to function most efficiently within a team.

I very much enjoy my programme as my role is currently very focussed on software development and engineering, which is one of interests. Being able to apply myself to a project's cause in this way is very rewarding/fulfilling, especially working with the friendly team that I am around everyday.

The program is well structured. The apprenticeship is split into four years, with what you will be doing in that being made clear before you start. The programme is also organised well with adequate training time at college being set, so training can supplement the work. Placements are often down to the individual apprentice to arrange, however this is useful as it has improved my networking ability.

A good amount of support is provided by my employer. Bi-monthly reviews allow for my needs to be checked and evaluated, ensuring I'm always safe, and any issues with my wellbeing can be voiced. Furthermore my employer allows me to take courses, enhancing any skills I would like to which happen to be extra-curricular from the training.

A good amount of support is provided by college lecturers, however feedback is often slow to recieve from lecturers regarding assignments. Also, lecturers have left me without answers on pass criteria for assignments, often specifications are copy+pasted into assignment briefs making it almost impossible to complete a coherent assignment meeting distinction grade.

The qualification I am in the process of completing provides theory which I can implement and build-on in the workplace for certain aspects of my work. For example programming design patterns are explained in college whilst I can identify how they are implemented in the real-world through work, giving me a confident ability to implement them in the future - improving my programming ability.

Yes, there is an entire club which anyone at work can join dedicated to out-of-work social activities, this can allow you to easily get to know people in the business you otherwise would never meet - improving placement opportunities massively. Also, there are sports teams, which happen at lunchtimes usually again these can be another networking opportunity.

Yes

The company is very caring and provides a very healthy working environment, with diversity and inclusivity being promoted massively. Furthermore, should individuals ever be having external problems not neccessarily related to work, the company has an entire support network dedictaed to such things. Also benefits such as flexible working hours and (in some cases) the ability to work from home, allows a for a very comfortable workstyle. Finally, due to being such a large company the ability to stretch your skills or find a working role that suits you is easier to identify - very appropriate for young apprentices.

For anyone going through the application stages I would recommend to be yourself and allow those assessing you to really learn who you are, what you are interested in and how much/waht you are will to learn and challenge yourself on. Also, to not try to make yourself as someone who you are not.