Nuclear engineering degree Apprentice Review

I am part of the electrical technical team, who review and check designs for Hinkley Point C to pass on to our contractors. I check that the designers' 3D models are compliant with official regulations with no operational issues, I write official papers for the ONR to answer queries they have, and review various other documents for the project. Day to day I hold/join in meetings, workshops, and reviews, give presentations to the teams and collaborate on documents.

I have (almost!) mastered the 3D modelling software used on the project and am able to navigate models effectively when checking the designs. I have learnt how to assess the technical correctness and usefulness of documents and how to communicate effectively with other teams within the project. It has helped me improve my approach to learning, my presentation skills and my overall confidence. I have also learnt a great deal about electrical systems and engineering, aided by an improvement in problem solving.

I thoroughly enjoy it - I love being treated as an employee while learning at the same time. I have met fantastic people (many of them now friends) from college and also my work placement. I am able to work with people from all over the UK, China and France, introducing me to different approaches to working and learning. The company encourages a questioning attitude and this helps me to enhance the enjoyment of the course, as I learn a little extra everytime I do something, and get to know people better in this way.

Fairly well organised - the work placements are quite flexible, and the organisational responsibility is mainly given to the assignment manager, which I find a good thing. Information regarding college time could be a little more prompt and organised but generally things are well-communicated. This has been seen especially with the recent pandemic causing everyone to have to adjust to working from home. I have been delivered the right equipment quite quickly which has helped hugely, and my managers have been keeping me updated with relevant details.

EDF (and HPC especially) are constantly offering support in every aspect, mainly through online facilities. My managers have also been keen to ensure I am always happy, both with the level of challenge my workload presents, and also from a pastoral point of view which is very improtant. Again, working from home has not been easy to adjust to but the support offered by the company has made this process a lot more smooth which I am grateful for.

The tutors are always happy to talk over issues and there is a lot of contact time within the college blocks. The degree is challenging but the college keeps on top of monthly reviews and informal reviews more frequently. However I feel during the completion of assignments that the tutors could be more active in their support as the class sizes are big so it is not always easy to approach them directly. Generally I feel well supported, though, and the facilities are very useful for our needs.

The degree learning is generally of a higher level than what is needed for day-to-day working, but it does help to give an underpinning knowledge of engineering and nuclear science. The presentation and project-work skills gained from completing assignments also helps in the placements. The practical learning that takes place at college is particularly useful, for example working on the mock-up flow rig that imitates one that might be encountered on site. This is a good preparation for work in the nuclear industry.

Due to coronavirus, the extra-curricular activities that might usually take place at work have been postponed. However I am aware that there are many activities that usually go on, especially at Barnwood where I will be based next. There are concerts, sports teams and many fundraiser events that seem to be enjoyed by all the team. There is also an opportunity to be involved with 'Coffee Roulette' where one connects with a random person from a different part of the company, to talk over coffee, which I think is great!

Yes

This apprenticeship has allowed me to work and learn in a beneficial, fair and fun way. I can shape my own career path through the flexibility of the course structure, but also feel constantly supported by everyone around me. It is the perfect balance between the student life and the professional life, which I think is brilliant preparation for whatever my future holds. I recommend yhese courses to anyone with ambition, curiosity and a practical mind.

Always ask questions, from start to finish. Read up on energy in the UK, and research EDF Energy and their values. Always push yourself towards the next challenge and don't be afraid to reach out to others for support in both work-related and mental health-related aspects. I would suggest that the most important thing to work on is confidence, as this will develop over time and get you very far in any form of learning and working.