Digital Energy Degree Technical Apprentice Review

I work alongside the Field Service engineers, supporting with visits to customer sites where we look after our building management system that controls the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning). Maintenance visits also often involve interaction with our customers and working with other workers on site to resolve issues both mechanical and electrical.

I come from a completely unfamiliar background to engineering hence I have learnt since becoming an apprentice. I have not only learnt all about engineering through shadowing my colleagues while at work and through my engineering degree but I have also picked up a vast range of skills from the many training courses our company funds.

The apprentice programme is highly enjoyable, I could not have imagined taking another route with my career. I have met so many new people and apprentices like myself that have really helped made my experience better. On the flip side there is sometimes a struggle with the university work as you may expect from any degree but nothing that I am not able to persevere through.

The apprenticeship programme allows more flexibility to give apprentices opportunities to experiance different job roles and broaden their skills. You may chose to do several different placements during your journey or stay in one place strengthening your skills in that area of the business.

Support for the apprentices in our company is vital and I know I am always able to find support whether it is from my line manager, apprentice manager, other apprentices or through the mentorship programme within the company. In short there are always people willing to provide support within the company.

If we want support we are able to reach out to our tutor or lecturers. In additional to this we have routine reviews throughout the year with our tutor where we are able to ask for support if needed.

The qualification helps with my knowledge with mechanical and electrical engineering which is vital for my job role. Not all the modules I do may be directly relevant but I still aquire new skills from them.

I am part of the apprentice social committee that is run by us apprentices within our company which plans to create socal events/activities for apprentices to come together. There are occasional networking events as well which is great for connecting with other people in the company and making new connections. However, these networking events seem to be rare due to travel restrictions within the company.

Yes

I have enjoyed my time so far at Schnedier and have found the apprentice programme a great way to progress your career.

Do some research on the company before hand and show your passion and willingness to learn as that is what this apprenticeship is all about.