Level 4 Network Engineering Apprentice Review
at RWE Supply & Trading
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Engineering
Swindon, Wiltshire
Review Submitted: January 2024
Overall Rating
4 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
3.6/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
On a daily basis I start the morning with meeting a meeting and I work through some tickets. After this the rest of my day is mixed with online learning and shadowing/ working with colleagues on current topics. Such the Hardware refresh topic, Recycling of EOL devices, workshops, rack assessments.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I enjoy it very much, its a good balance between learning and working. You may find yourself learning online a lot but its part of the field and gives you time to commit certain knowledge to memory.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Starting off this apprenticeship with only fundamental knowledge of Networking, I have learned alot, ALOT. In this field I don't think you ever stop learning, which is something I like as you have a sense of growth. Some skills I have developed so far are making configuration changes on Cisco devices, deeper knowledge of OSI and how this framework is used in Networking, Subnetting along with Binary/ Decimal/ Hexadecimal Conversion).
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
The apprenticeship started off a little unorganised but I am the first apprentice the Network department has had. After some time and communication back forth with my manager and work coach from QA this has changed drastically though. Now I am involved in a lot more topics and am shadowing more often.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
Much support, I am provided a licence for free to Learn online via Pluralsight and had been given some money to source my own studying sources. Sometimes talking to colleagues in Germany can feel distant but we have regular trips to Essen which helps build chemistry and makes learning more fun than doing it online. My colleagues are very response and are happy to help me if I'm stuck, I have regular Teams calls to help with this.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
My work coach has been excellent.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
The training from QA is good although I find myself spending more time on my own study resources and Pluralsight. The workshops QA do are so good, I wish they did more as you can be around students in the same position as you, which I feel this can lack sometimes. The qualification from QA does provide a good framework for what to learn and how to approach my studies.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
3/5
Yes Apprentices at RWE are invited to a social meet for a coffee every week in the canteen and also out of work at the Local Pub.
The Networking Team meets a few times a year which involve team building activities and workshops. These are the best times as you learn in person and get to meet all your colleagues you chat online too everyday. When managers travel to Swindon they host us for a dinner usually. There are lots of opportunities to engage in social events and they have a gym onsite I like to attend.
The Networking Team meets a few times a year which involve team building activities and workshops. These are the best times as you learn in person and get to meet all your colleagues you chat online too everyday. When managers travel to Swindon they host us for a dinner usually. There are lots of opportunities to engage in social events and they have a gym onsite I like to attend.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend RWE Supply & Trading to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Having worked at over 8 jobs in my life before this (In my late 20s) I've found the employee care here is amazing and I've honestly never been treated better. Really motivates me to want to do better and when studies get overwhelming it reminds me to keep pushing.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to RWE Supply & Trading?
When applying for RWE I did not feel I was the most technically competent out of the other candidates, so prepare to be judged on how you assert yourself and how you engage with others. Remember you're a Team and when working incidents usually need collaboration between SMEs to be resolved. Being an apprentice, I only had very basic knowledge of Networking to start so make sure you at least know the fundamentals. Also learning German will give you some bonus points ;)
