Senior Deployment Analyst Review

Sending firmware deployments to Smart meter assets enrolled into the DCC network. I make mult-month firmware delivery plans and analyse any errors, failures and exceptions that arise in the process. I work with data from multiple sources, clean data and build logic to define and identify issues, and provide actionable insight.

I have learned about categorisation and regression in Data Science, which can have applications to the analytical work I do already. I have refreshed and improved my SQL skills during the Foundations of Data Science module. The Introduction to Programming module helped me learn Python, which currently is not used as standard practice in my team, but it would have beneficial applications in our team, if we were to start using it. I intend to use it to build some data aggregation and data cleaning tools to demonstrate its potential benefits.

Overall, I enjoy the programme so far. The Introduction to Mathematics was well structured and the lecturer was engaging and passionate. I have no fault with that module. The Introduction to Programming module was a bit frustrating because there were 3 module lecturers/tutors. I believe that the module was planned so that the sessions all built upon one another and that there was meant to be continuity between the lecturers/tutors, however, there was one particular lecturer/tutor who went off script frequently and did not give time in our workshop with him to practice the theory we had learned in lectures and seminars earlier in the day. The Foundations of Data Science module was overwhelming at first as it was introducing a lot of Data Science theory and applications of different Python libraries all at once. In preparation for this module, I asked for a reading list, so that I could start doing some preparation but no such reading list was published until half wy through the module.

There was a very steep change in the learning curve between the Introduction to Programming and Foundations of Data Science modules. It would have been beneficial to have been introduced to some of the Python libraries that are used in the Foundations of Data Science module in the Introduction to Programming module and to have had a reading list for the former before the beginning of the module.

I get the weekly time that I need in order to attend the module lectures, seminars and workshops, and time to complete coursework. However my line manager could be doing more to drive more learning on the job and setting suitable assignments that are relevant to the KSBs in the apprenticeship. Apprentices on related programmes (Computer Science and Programming(?)) seem to have a much better in work programme of projects and learning.

So far, NTU have provided most of the learning and project based work that is working towards my qualification. There ought to be a better mesh between the training provider and my workplace, so that my KSBs are being fulfilled on both sides of things.

The Introduction to Programming and Foundations of Data Science have helped me become a more analytical problem solver. In particular, Computational thinking : a beginner's guide to problem-solving and programming by Karl Beecher, which was on the reading list for Introduction to Programming has been an invaluable resource. Learning about Categorisation data models has laid a foundation of knowledge that I will build upon and has helped me approach Data Science / Analysis issue differently to how I would have previously. Prior to starting the apprenticeship, most of what I had learned on the job was reactionary to needs and musts and was self taught. The apprenticeship has formalised my learning and filled in many knowledge gaps.

Yes, there are apprenticeship groups at E.ON. I attended an Apprenticeship Awards show earlier in the year.

Yes

The pay is competitive, the benefits are good, and E.ON are generally supportive of apprentices.

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