System Planning Apprentice Review

A system panning engineer keeps the electricity network up and running and they allow new customers to connect. As an apprentice here at SSE, I do 3 week blocks in Loughborough college, followed by 3-4 weeks in reading office which keeps everything exiting. I move around the office switching between different teams within the the same system planning team to learn as many new things as possible.

During college time I have improved my maths skills, electrical principles skills, and my knowledge of generators and generation. Whilst working at SSE I have learned to use many new software's such as POWERON and PI, which are essential when becoming a system planner. I have also developed existing skills such as EXCEL work.

I have really enjoyed my time whilst in the office. Through meeting many new people, learning lots of new skills and the enjoyable training days. The college side of the apprenticeship has felt disjointed at times. Sometimes it is hard to get back into the flow of college after being off for 4 weeks.

During the start of the programme everything moved very slowly and I didn't really know what the job role would be, or what I should doing. However, after this, the programme had much more of a structure and I knew what to do as soon as i came into work each day.

My employer is very supportive and there are many different ways of accessing support. For example when in college they have offered extra support for subjects like maths. The college on the other hand haven't offered very much extra support at all. It would be helpful if they offered some extra help.

The actual lectures during college time were of a decent standard on the whole, however support has been very limited. Sometimes an email wont be replied to for multiple weeks. Assignemnt deadlines have been set a dealine less than a week after handout, and sometimes 4/5 hand ins in one day

I don't feel the college side of the apprenticeship has helped me at all in my role. My role is all office based and we use software's not available to the public. A lot of our college has been based around circuits and circuit calculations which will never be needed whilst in the office.

There are no sports teams, however, since I started here we have have been out for a few meals with the team. This really helps to get to know everyone. Especially some people you may not normally speak to. It then makes it easier in the office as you feel more part of the team

Yes

I have really enjoyed my time at SSE so far. From meeting new people to doing a job i'm really interested in, to the prospect of moving up through the coming and having the chance toi earn a good wage. There are also internal lotteries, many benefits and discounts.

I think all jobs within SSE would be worth applying for as the company has very good values. I think they would need to be prepared to work hard, meet lots of new people and make good impressions. And if it were an apprenticeship they were applying for then they would need to be prepared for all of the extra college work on top of the new job role.