NEDA apprenticeship Review

I am doing a 4 year degree apprenticeship in Nuclear Engineering, my time in college is a full week of learning with one study day. I have now started my placement which is full time and will be turning to college four times for a month block. With in my placement I have had the opportunity to drive a project plan which has given me a lot of responsibilities as people depend on this work to keep track on the teams progress. Each morning we have a team meeting to make sure that everyone is ok and to discuss the work ahead of us.

Yes I have learnt a lot of new skills as this is a new experience for me, it has also allowed me to develop skills I already had. I have completed internal courses that allows me to progress with company work, and also in my own time completed Linked Inn Learning courses to help me with new skills such as a course on MS project as I hadn't used it before, but was essential for my project planning work. As I am working in the company now, I have learnt a lot within my role and set objectives a long the way to make sure I get the experience I need form my placement.

The time I have currently spent on my apprenticeship I have really enjoyed, and had a lot of opportunities. The team I work within offer a lot of support and always go out of their way to help us with anything we are unsure of. As this was new to me I wasn't sure what to expect but it has definitely met them and exceeded what I had thought. I am looking forward to be introduced into new teams and build my network within the company.

I fell that my apprenticeship is organised well but as with anything there is room for improvement. Down to Covid 19 this year I had to complete my degree work form home, and the support from the college was not the best, but this was expected due to it being an unforeseeable circumstance. When we require training this is provided by the company. Each month I have a meeting set up to discuss my progress and by setting objectives it gives me targets to meet.

My employer fully supports me, anytime we come across an issue with the college they are able to sort it out and find a solution. If I had a personal issue I would feel comfortable asking my employer for support. I have a career manager as well as a assignment manager, I find this very helpful as they are able to guide me through my placement. I am able to contact myHR if I have any issues and also an IT service desk if I have any IT issues.

We receive a lot of support from the training provide, we have a tutor for each module of work we are going to cover. I have learnt a lot from my time in the college, the staff are very helpful. Sometimes communication isn't very clear but it can be easily sorted out. Every few months we get a review session to see how we are progressing. Some tutors are better than others, in regards to understanding that all the pupils haven't com r from the same background as everyone's ground knowledge isn't the same.

The modules that I complete for my qualification give me a great amount of underpinning knowledge, this helps me complete my placement at a greater standard as I have more understanding. The theory I have learnt hasn't yet been put into practice except the practical work I have done in college. Currently what I have learnt doesn't apply to my role, but the module I competed on Nuclear Science helps me understand more of the industry I am working in.

There are a number of networking events, as I have only started my placement recently I have not yet had the opportunity to take advantage of these events. For my qualification I have to participate in volunteering activities, because of Covid we were sent home to work, therefore these activities have had to be put on hold until we return. Around the area there are gyms and so on, therefore I make the most of these when I'm not working in my own time.

Yes

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time so far working for EDF energy, I have had so many opportunities and I can't wait to see what the future holds for me. By completing this apprenticeship it allows me to do a degree without getting into a dept, this is a very big advantage of doing an apprenticeship. I feel that EDF is a company that I can continue to work for throughout my carrier and starting this apprenticeship has allowed me to put my foot in the door.

I will advice for anyone to go for it, because it is the best thing I did. I will advice to take any opportunity that you are given, as it will help them build a network and buy building a greater network of people your name will get a reputation and this will lead to more opportunities. It's just important to work hard so that your reputation is a representation of who you are.