Higher Apprentice Review

As an apprentice, I rotate around departments of the business in 2-4 month placements. In each placement, I get an experience of what working in that department is like. I contribute to current, real world projects and become part of the local teams. For part of my week, I attend college to complete a degree in computer science as part of my apprenticeship. For the remainder of the week, I am in the office like any other regular employee. I get to work and learn at the same time.

I have developed engineering based skills in all the placements I have taken part in. I have learned new skills relevant to my placements and applied them to real world jobs. I have developed my communication skills and my ability to work well in teams with new and varied people. Not only this but, my studies at college have also advanced my knowledge and I can apply this new learnt knowledge in the work place.

I definitely enjoy my program. Being able to work, learn, and earn at the same time is fantastic. I am certainly glad I decided on this option rather than alternatives like university. Every day is different and I get to work on a large variety of projects and work types. For these reasons, I very much enjoy my programme.

My programme is well organised and structured. My placements are organised in advance and communicated to me through a long planner spreadsheet. I can voice my own requests for specific placements and are often granted giving me lots of influence into my own future. When placed in a team, I am always managed well and always have work to do.

My employer gives me many points of support. I am assigned a line manager who is responsible for my actions and organising my progression and performance. I am also assigned a mentor who I can go to for advice about my current work or anything at all. In each placement I am also assigned a manager who is responsible for ensuring my placement goes smoothly

We are assigned a set amount of days a week to attend college and complete our qualifications. Our managers encourage us to also use office time to complete college assignments where necessary and are constantly interested in making sure we do the best we can. The college and the company are in active communication to ensure we are always supported when we need it.

I am primarily based in software and I feel that is the part of the business I will go into once my apprenticeship finishes. My qualification is very much suited to this because it is computer science. I can regularly apply newly learned skills to my placements especially when it is a software related placement.

Siemens as a company promote a lot of extra-curricular. I regularly attend these types of events to promote the company and take part in community events. Through the business, I have become a STEM ambassador participating an many STEM events and have really made an impact on the engineering community.

Yes

Siemens treat their staff very well. I am getting invaluable experience that I could not get elsewhere and it is a very good choice for anybody in engineering. Not only this, but I am also getting a full degree paid for. There is not much else I could ask for!

Qualifications in some form of STEM subject will help you go far in applying at Siemens. Any other experiences or qualifications which are more unusual are also very beneficial in making you noticed. If you can, try to get some work experience at one of the Siemens offices. This is the most effective method as they can see how you work and will give you a massive advantage when the applications open.