Digital Energy Degree Technical Apprentice Review

As an apprentice project engineer we look after the project from the design stage all the way to handover. This means I spend time in the Office doing design work and documentation, with an equal amount of time spent on site testing and commissioning. In the office I will normally help with creating HMI Screens and Documentation. On site I generally help with testing and commisioning.

I have developed many skills, the main ones are teamwork, communication and fault-finding. As these are the main skills we use day-to-day. This is because we always work in teams of at least 2 therefore it is important to be able to work with colleagues and accurately communicate what I have done.

I personally really enjoy the programme. I find commissioning on site to be the most engaging and interesting as you get to work with lots of different equipment, solve problems and work with many different people internally and externally to commission different type of equipment such as electrical distribution boards, Air handling units, fire systems, generators and much more. When I feel confident with this equipment I am often given the opportunity to test this equipment independently and recording all result. This gives me some responsibilities but only if I am happy and confident I can do.

Overall the programme is well run, when I started I was given all the necessary training, Equipment, PPE and information. So far I have worked on 2 very large projects and a few smaller which has exposed me to a large amount of equipment, systems and processes. The only thing that was not great at the start was the university, however this has now improved significantly.

The company is great at providing support, we get given time off to do uni work and if I ever as for additional time my manager always makes it work. When working all engineers are happy to show me how to do something and help if I have any questions. Many of them being apprentices previously are great at explaining complex topics and don't mind spending significant time showing how to use a piece of software or operate equipment such as breakers or PLC's. Furthermore, we gets lots of training, such as PLC, Software and Operational training.

The university was initially lacking in support and communication during the start of the degree however they have been improving and are now very good at providing support, regularly spending additional time during lectures and quickly replying to emails.

The university course we are on covers general engineering with a mix of electrical, automation and mechanical therefore not all topics are relevant. Topics such as Manufacturing and material properties are not very relevant to what I do every day. Other topics however cover exactly what I do, such as power electronics and Electrical Power and Machines where we look at high voltage equipment such as transformers, motors and the math's behind it all. Overall however I think they qualification gives you options and shows you how other things work, such as factories.

There are lots of extra-curricular activities within the business and its only growing as more apprentices join. There are several apprentice groups for activities. Many networking events throughout the year and the possibility of occasional sport teams, however this depends on your area.

Yes

I think Schneider is a company with lots of great opportunities, therefore most people can find something they like. The apprentice programme is great for this as you can more around the business going to different parts of the business and different parts of the country. The programme leaders often ask if anyone would like to try out another business unit for a year.

I think as long as you are keen and want to learn you will have a good chance to join the programme. It helps if you know what the business does in general and what Schneider's goals are as a company, as it will help you decide which part of the business you may like to join.