Craftsperson Review

On site I am either working as part of a team or by myself either on outage work maintaining, refurbing or repairing HV Substation Equipment or Carrying out site repairs or routine work. For the first few years this would be under personal supervision until deemed competent and once the correct criteria has been met able to do this by myself.

I have completed many courses on the apprenticeship to gain or enhance my skills including Presentation skills, Hand and Fitting Skills, Slinging and Rigging, Interpretation Drawing skills, Team Building, Communication, First Aid, Pipe Fitting, courses on HV Substation Equipment, I have gained a qualification City and Guilds level 3, High pressure fittings course, How to use a Tail Lift and Pallet Truck which was either done in house or external trainers brought in.

My overall experience on the National Grid Apprenticeship was a positive one, even with the struggles of COVID-19 interrupting the course half way into it. I thoroughly enjoyed the courses at Eakring and Externally and learnt lots of skills as listed before. I made lots of new friends and learnt so much. I feel the companies values match my own and i can apply this to my day to day life. But it has gone above and beyond my expectations.

As stated before in the last question, my course was hit by COVID-19 half way into my apprenticeship. It threw the second year plan and training up in the air and the last year was spent playing catch up. I know the academy did their best to organise our group as well as others. My only criticism is that they took on new trainees in January 2021 when I feel they should have held back and concentrated on the trainees they had. This caused a headache for everyone including the trainers as they had 3 trainers leave whilst i was there and only brought in a couple replacements after people had left/retired instead of being proactive to replace the 2 people who were retiring.

I had a 3 monthly review with either my programme manager or trainers to ensure i was hitting targets, we would be asked questions to ensure we knew what to do or who to speak to if we were struggling. Managers onsite would regularly ask how we were getting on and support us if we needed it. We has been assigned a mentor on site who could support us, personally my mentor had lots going on in his personal life so i didn't have much to do with him.

As stated before, everyone had a 3 monthly review to ensure we were on track and they asked questions to ensure we knew where to go for support if we needed it. The general attitude towards us was always positive checking on how we were doing. I thought it was good they left us to crack on but were there to help if needed. Felt like a mature learning style

The qualifications I have gained have given me the knowledge and skills to perform my role whether that be how systems work, how equipment works, or other areas away from National Grid (Distribution or Generation). It has also helped practicing maintenance at Eakring and Bringing that knowledge back onto site. I have learnt most of my knowledge through the qualification compared to someone who was a direct intake.

At Eakring there was Engineering workshops once a week, a 5 aside football pitch, golf course, bikes to borrow, and they would organise a bus and bowling for a group to get out of the complex for an evening. In the bar there was a snooker and pool table as well as darts and card games to play behind the bar.

Yes

Really good and interesting apprenticeship as well as lots of benefits to look after you. As long as you put the effort in the rewards are there for you. It has been very challenging at times but now i am at the other side it was worth all the effort i put in.

Research the company and the role you want to do. As i said before it is challenging at times but as long as you out the effort in the rewards are there for you. The welcoming was outstanding when i started and i couldn't wait to join. Grab any opportunities to do something different or gain experiences.