Electrical Applications Apprentice Review

My job is to create designed electrical solutions for medium voltage applications, primarily medium voltage switchgear. This includes designing electrical drawings such as DC circuits, Primary AC circuits that have voltage and current transformers, and designing the overall layout of the switchboard. It also includes monitoring the progress of a project during build and testing that it works according to design.

Yes! When I came into my apprenticeship I knew a basic amount about electrical circuits, which in comparison to the complexity of drawings I now work with daily felt like next to nothing! My confidence and understanding in being able to create, edit and explain protection circuits has grown tremendously and I still have a lot more to learn.

At first I wasn't sure what to expect because I had never heard about switchgear before, and didn't have much experience in designing circuits. But I have to say, I thoroughly enjoy my apprenticeship! I realised that I wasn't expected to know everything, and found that I really enjoy designing and testing switchgear!

I have regular meetings with my training provider and growth talks with my line manager where I talk about the experiences I've had, what I've learnt, set achievable goals for the future, and my long term plan. These discussions help me know how and where to progress in my work.

I receive lots of support. I have two mentors that are design engineers within the team that have a lot of experience and readily teach me the fundamental principles and skills needed in electrical design. They also have helped me grow in my communication skills and confidence when talking with customers.

I receive lots of support from my teachers and feel free to ask them about things I don't understand. They help make lessons understandable for the wide range of students that are in my HNC course, and help me understand the application of what I learn in lessons in my work.

I think it helps me understand the core principles of engineering which are applicable to lots of engineering applications and provides a more in depth study of why we use certain solutions in engineering, such as protection relays. That being said, because electrical engineering covers such a wide scope of job roles, some things I learn are more suited to other engineering job roles other than my own, but it helps widen my knowledge and allows everyone in the class with different career goals to take something away from the course.

Yes, there have been some networking events that have taken place in my work and with other interns/apprentices. One that I went to was a team building and character developing course that was in the lake district! It was based on working in accordance to Siemens core values: Excellent, Responsible, Innovative’ and to reinforce our Health & Safety culture ‘Zero Harm’.

Yes

I think Siemens is very good with new early starters. Every colleague that is a part of an apprentice's journey. Whether it's someone else in the same team, your training provider, or your mentor, all are supportive of each step of progression within your apprenticeship. Everyone is always ready to share their knowledge with you, so even if you don't know the answer you'll always know where to find it.

Don't feel anxious if you do not feel like you have a full understanding of a job role when applying, find out. Also, if you are anxious that you don't know enough to do the job as an apprentice, you must remember that that's the whole point! During your apprenticeship is when your confidence and abilities will grow.