Technical Apprentice Review

Commissioning and pre-commissioning of Plant in buildings linked back to a central management system such that the building can be automatically run and the management system can make decisions based on how efficiently the building is being used. Commissioning consists of testing and checking over others work. Predominantly the work of installers who work for our company as a contractor.

Everything i now know about BMS is new and learned from the job. Background knowledge has been gained from the degree but a lot of the useful bits of seemingly trivial but often priceless knowledge comes from those we work with. They are rarely judgmental as we all have to start somewhere.

The university had designed this program the year we started so it has felt almost as we were guinea pigs. The support from the Schneider electric has been a great enabler for the success of the program so far with Lincoln university causing issues throughout the year. However, the company is now looking forward to other universities to complete the apprenticeship instead.

The program gives a balanced feeling of being in control of the general direction of your apprentice career whilst keeping you on your toes. As a travelling appointment i appreciate the sense of trust they give from the start and of course the free hire cars (have been some amazing cars and not so amazing cars) along with the learning opportunities that come with being responsible for yourself travelling across the country. The structure of the apprenticeship is heavily opportunity dependent but doesn't feel disorganised.

Full support with major focus on health and safety. if there is anything you feel uncomfortable about they will support you at work. Recently got a height adjustable desk through work as i was working on my bed all day and had a bad back afterwards. The people make schneider a much better place to work.

The lecturers are mostly available to answer questions. Some take their time however and despite having meetings between apprentices, employer and the university there are often still issues we encounter. As mentioned earlier this will be heavily dependent on the fact we are the first year to have (nearly) completed the course.

The level of understanding having learned about aspects of my job in university is unmatched. There is sometimes a feeling that the modules will never be relevant to the role but this is rare especially as you progress to the later years of the degree. I enjoy the fact that i have a decent understanding of how the world works from business to physics and even robotics and C++ coding.

As a not so sporty engineer who has done half their degree throughout a pandemic, i cant comment too fairly on this but i do know people who have set up football matches on site with colleagues and those from other trades. Schneider does have a good network of people who could join your next team. I have done several careers fairs aimed to get Kids into STEM roles which i have enjoyed.

Yes

I feel that i receive a job i like and work for employers (colleagues) who care. That alone is something hard to come by in a continuously developing labour market where exploitation is only so far away. I appreciate that my company is doing something about its impact on the planet not only in its operation but in its very operation (to reduce the energy usage of buildings).

Keep a note of everything that you do regardless of how trivial as everything you learn every day could come back again. This extends to the people you work with. I have heard from many people that the BMS trade is rather incestuous and you will meet companies and individuals time and time again.