Control and Instrumentation Technician Review

My role as a fourth year apprentice is to take part in maintenance activities on the power station. Because I am due to be taking on a technician's job after this year, I have the added responsibility of taking the lead on jobs too.

I have learned to be more assertive and to not be afraid to ask questions when something doesn't feel right. This is key when working on an industrial site, since having a questioning attitude can be the difference between doing a job safely, and an accident potentially taking place.

I think this programme is very well put together since it has many generations of apprentices firmly set within the company. This means that there are very clear expectations for you as you make your way through the four years. I enjoyed the opportunity to work in another part of the country (Portsmouth, but the current location for the first two years' training is in Bridgewater). The apprenticeship has also given me the opportunity to live in Edinburgh, Scotland, which I've always wanted to do.

There is a very clear structure for the apprenticeship programme, with the first two years being spent away from your base location, achieving your BTECs and other necessary certificates in your relevant field. The second two years are spent back at your base site. This is where you will truly learn your trade and have the opportunity to apply what you have learned in those first two years.

EDF as a company have many policies and different support staff in place so that if anything happens, or if there are any issues there is always someone to listen to your issues. This has been especially prevalent with the current Covid-19 crisis, with generation staff being considered key workers.

Plenty of support and flexibility is given when it comes to working towards qualifications. In the third and fourth year, you have the opportunity to get a HNC in your relevant field with day-release. The employer is very good with allowing things such as time before exams at work to revise, and allowing study days and extra support if you are struggling.

I feel that EDF's priority with the apprenticeship is to produce competent, knowledgeable, and confident technicians to perform maintenance on all of their sites. The qualifications that you gain throughout the four years definitely contribute to this and to performing better in your role, because you have the knowledge to back up what you are doing.

There are various extra curricular activities to get involved with. For example, when you are with the other apprentices for the first few years, there were things such as football matches, team building days, and french lessons to do in your spare time. On site there are 5-a-side teams, family days at the visitor centres, and even running competitions around the site nature walks.

Yes

They are a good company with good benefits, that allows you to gain solid qualifications and a trade. EDF are known in the industry for their commitment to safety, so you know that your training is top-class. It's also a well paid job, and there are plenty of opportunities for growth.

Research the company and the site that you are applying for, and how you will play a role in the greater vision of the company. For example, if you are applying for one of the nuclear sites, understand that EDF is committed to a lower carbon future, and safe, reliable nuclear generation etc.