Engineering Apprentice Review

My role at my department is as a "Junior Systems Architect" this is for the hardware team in the Automation Engineering department where we involve in projects for process automation companies. My role in the hardware team consist of creating technical drawings that include wiring diagrams, architectures etc., commissioning of hardware, testing of hardware and support for project managers.

During the experience of the apprenticeship, I have definitely gained experience through work in improving and adding more skills to my repertoire. I have been able to expand my knowledge in the electrical engineering field and have learned how to draw certain technical drawings to customer specification. Soft skills in communication with customers, how professional emails are written etc. have been acquired too. Lastly, I have gained skills through training courses provided by my company e.g. PLC programming as well as gaining qualifications such as my HNC and HND with the Bachelor year to follow.

I enjoy the programme very much as I work for an amazing company that always puts their employees first. The working environment at Siemens is very healthy and good for mental health when comparing other companies through conversations had with other apprentices. The support Siemens provides is tremendous. I would recommend this apprenticeship to anyone.

Generally, the programme is structured well and organised professionally with a clear plan in place for the period of time of the apprenticeship. How the apprenticeship is executed is obviously down to the direct individual in charge and that reflects on the individual only. So all thought the programme is structured and organised well, the individual running the programme could improve their organisation and structure.

The support from Siemens is tremendous. Siemens are always on hand to provide not just support in training, but also in education and general health. This stems from providing mental health first aiders, regular progress reviews and the continues availability of equipment when necessary with no expense spared. Siemens definitely go the extra mile for their apprentices.

The training provider actually changed mid apprenticeship. Initially, the training provider was Trafford College during year 1 and 2. During the first year, the support from Trafford College was manageable. However, during year two, the support from Trafford College became problematic and was not very good. This prompted Siemens to take their apprentices to Tameside College now where support has been far greater.

The qualifications gained through college definitely provide a foundation knowledge that assists in performance at work. However, that is where it ends. The improvement in performance in ones role comes from time and experience as well as learning from colleagues who have more time and experience in the role. In my opinion, a training provider can only provide foundational knowledge and therefore I feel it can't help in performing better.

Siemens is very invested in their employees and make sure extra-curricular activities are available in many ways, whether through sport, networking, social activities and more. Siemens cares very much not just to be a money making business but shows great care for their employees and sees they are humans. I myself have been involved in the work sports day, networking training, pay day pub trip social activity and more.

Yes

Siemens is an awesome company to work for with a genuine care and priority in employee well-being. Siemens go the extra mile to cater to their employees and I love that. The working environment at Siemens is also very pleasurable and the colleagues I've got are all awesome people. The support I've had during the apprenticeship has also been awesome and I truly feel like I am part of the "Siemens Family"

Don't be afraid, be yourself, and if you are the right person, you will get the job. Siemens looks for enthusiastic, progressive, hard working people that are always willing to learn and give their best to achieve things. The ownership culture that Siemens embodies truly resonates in all their workers as they all care about what they do and treat Siemens like their own company.