Engineering apprentice Review

My role is to ensure the functionality of production equipment. This is covered by three different departments which all apprentices will have rotations within. Firstly Wet reagents where all our wet reagents that go into our cartridges are produced, This area includes working with reactors and steam equipment. The second area in the process is cartridges where the cartridges are manufactured and tested using measuring equipment and lastly site 2 where the rapid points alongside other machines are manufactured and repaired. This gives apprentices a broader understanding of the whole process throughout the Sudbury sites.

I have learnt a lot to do with quality assurance paperwork and procedures here as we have to be very strict due to the manner of product we produce. I have also learnt hands on skills from the different areas of production I have worked in within the rotation. I am left to do my own work for college or documentation if required. I have also learnt a lot about recording data through testing equipment.

I enjoy my programme a lot as my mangers help me steer my progression and let me do college work or revision at work if required. I enjoy the varied production areas throughout the sites and the different kinds of work that is to be carried out within them. Organisation can be a bit of a problem but the people I work with are kind and helpful and the company overall has a good caring culture.

The induction was well laid out with a timetable for all apprentices within the first week. After that organisation was a bit of a muddle and the communication for a way forward was difficult. However, That has since been rectified and now have a clear path forward and this feedback was taken on and I believe improved for the next years apprentices. The training I receive can be good and the support from employees when required is also good as well as the support on my studying.

I have several people I can go to if I have issues and I know they will follow it up. All the problems I have encountered have been rectified. The attitude towards supporting apprentices is very high and to be fair we are very well looked after. I find my access to support to be readily available from various members of staff and sorted promptly. If I require any guidance with problems their is a wealth of knowledge within the sites.

Siemens are very good at providing support for my qualification. I have been given a laptop where I can carry out college work at home or sometimes in work. They have also paid for a couple of maths books to help with my revision. On the NVQ side of the apprenticeship they have changed the structure of how I will be working to help in hitting the units required for my qualification. Overall I find siemens supportive and enjoyable.

Most of it I find useful but I understand it cannot be all revolved around a single student. I have put to use a lot of things I have learnt from my qualification and also for engineering hobbies at home. The good thing is about covering things you work on at work through college is that you learn the jobs through 2 different aspects as well as all the theory behind it. I feel more confident in my day to day through what I have learned in college.

We have access to many extra activities outside of work such as regular company events to celebrate success, Team building activities, educational visits. The company runs a regular cricketing day as a sport and we also take part in regular STEM events which us apprentices have a lot of evolvement as to how we are going to deliver our STEM visit. Outside of work I enjoy working on cars, building/ fixing things, documentaries and travelling.

Yes

Siemens is a good place to work for overall. The apprentices are well looked after and supported including the ability to go into higher qualifications if you prove your ability. The social events are enjoyable as well as our STEM visits and educational visits. The people that work here are friendly and willing to lend a helping hand if required. The best part is I am able to steer the direction of my apprenticeship alongside the companies needs.

Do your research on the companies history and learn about what the company manufactures here on site. If you have been given a contact for someone to email questions to do not hesitate in asking if you feel the need. Within the interview talk about your skills as well as your willingness to learn. The onboarding process does take a while but is enjoyable on your first few weeks once you start. Their is a lot of opportunity within the siemens sites.