Rail Degree Apprentice Review

I am an apprentice OLE rail design engineer, which involves the drawing and layout design of the overhead cabling in order to power electric trains. My day-to-day role is to draw and amend drawings in a CAD space, as well as using data in excel spreadsheets to show specific information about the area that we are working on, such as; the topography around the section of track, the height the cable needs to be at, the wind speed in that are, the line speed in the area, and more.

I have learned many new skills during my learning and completing my role with Amey. This starts with the use of the software that we use to store the drawings and the file location software (projectwise) I learned how to navigate this space and how to work with the files stored in this space. I also learned how to use the software that we use for the drawings themselves (microstation), I've learned how to draw in new elements into a file, and how to edit and amend drawings that already exist and need adjusting. There is also and element of professionalism that has been taught from being involved in regular meetings amongst the team I am a part of.

I have enjoyed every part of the program I am currently enrolled in. Especially during the current situation with the lock down restrictions and everything that has been happening, the way that the company have handled everything has made it very enjoyable and easy to learn, given the circumstances. The university (although it had some hiccups near the start) has also been organised in such a way to keep the involvement and communication quite high and thus very enjoyable. I also find the people I work with make the workplace comfortable and professional so being at work, despite being remote, is still comfortable and it makes it enjoyable.

The program has been structured very well by both Amey and by Sheffield Hallam University. Allowances have been made for the current circumstances with deadlines and how things have been run differently. However, the course beaching has been delivered exceptionally well for most of the sessions and the allotted time for each piece of coursework has been in such a way that we have plenty of time to get everything we need to include into the piece while also being able to fulfil our job roles.

The amount of support I receive from my employer is outstanding, everybody that I work around is always available to talk too and always able to answer any questions that I may have. I am regularly checked on by my mentor and by my manager to make sure that I am having no issues and that I am happy, and if not they will always be able to either help me out themselves or point me to the person who can.

I receive a lot of support from Sheffield Hallam University lecturers when it comes to both the learning materials with the videos and lecture slides from the teaching, to formula books and practice questions in order to test myself and be able to see where my progress is. I also am able to email, or message on the message board, any of my module lecturers to ask for additional work or for help with any topics that I am struggling with.

I feel like the modules we have completed so far with the university lend themselves to the understanding of why certain things are completed in the way that they are. The understanding of some of the facets of the different softwares also play a part in boosting the performance of our roles (mainly excel formulae). The maths modules we have learned also help with the calculations we need to use in order to be able to input certain data points and calculate certain values.

In my team there are a few extra-curricular activities that we do. In the team we have a social call everyday so that people can keep the feeling of the office environment and also so we can have fun challenges, such as quizzes. there has also been a recent suggestion of meeting up to play football as a group one day after work for something fun to do outside of work for fitness and mental wellbeing.

Yes

Amey as a company have many values that they stand by, and all of them are incredible morals to live and work by. The company is also very forward thinking when it comes to the health of its' employees, both physical and mental health are taken very seriously and everyone cares about one another so it creates a very safe place to be. There is also a direct line of communication with the CEO which is open to anyone in the company, so it removes the disconnect many businesses have between the top of the company and those lower down.

For anyone that would apply to Amey, I would advise that they research the company's morals and standards and make sure that you agree with all of them, because the company runs on the standards as a fundamental. I would also advise that you be yourself, because the company doesn't strive to make everyone the same, they welcome fresh eyes to a problem and a unique perspective from a new mind is always one that can be the idea that changes everything.