Chemical Engineer Laboratory higher apprentice Review

I am learning for the most part. I shadow, I conduct experiments, I take readings and I analyse results that I get. If I'm not doing that I'm at university, or doing online learning. I try to learn the systems slowly but surely to understand the massive facilities.

I have learned skills I didn't even know I needed learning. My time at Thames Water has been engaging and really feels like I'm developing myself into a keen problem solver and lab worker. I am taking charge of projects and doing things I would never think I would be going a year ago.

The working side is enjoyable, good company benefits, and great teams of people. I have enjoyed most of the work that I've been set, however sometimes it feels like the company isn't geared to structuring a community of apprentices yet. The degree itself has felt isolating at times because of the distance from where I live and the little time I spend there.

The structure of my uni course was terrible at the start, I didn't get my timetable until year 4, and I felt like again the apprentices were an afterthought, shoehorned in to deal with later. Since then, its been good, and uni working with work has a loose structure with achievable guidance points to help you find your own way of development.

I receive so much support. There are occupational health teams who can help with mental health, physical health, including free physiotherapy to anyone who needs it. Thames funded a lot of my driving lessons too when they found out I couldn't drive, which has been a massive help to me.

I receive less support than my employer, but I haven't had to use it much. I get set work, I have lectures, same as any uni experience. I do feel that group work, while necessary, doesn't work as well for students who are only part time and work a full time job. It makes collaboration and timekeeping very difficult.

I have found a few things useful while at work, especially the use of CAD. At the moment year 1 is more of a foundational year, so all the things relevant to my job like fluid dynamics, chemical plant plans etc haven't been taught yet. So far, its been okay.

There are opportunities for such activities if you want to get involved in them. A charity tough mudder run, some apprenticeship gatherings, and an annual raft race where each department races their own built rafts for charity, in this case WaterAid. I think there could be more social activities provided but there is a good foundation.

Yes

I think the benefits are enough to warrant seeking a job here. I think working for such an old, cemented company surrounds you with experts in so many fields, and will only help you develop yourself. There are so many technologies at work here that its a struggle to find any type of science that isn't relevant to the production of water.

Be yourself, its important to be wanted for you and not a front. Try to be open to trying any opportunities, and take all the training qualifications you can. Having interesting problem solving experiences helps, too. Out of the box thinking is always going to be encouraged, and the ability to engage and impress during any group activity is a great formula