Apprentice EPNE Review
at SSE
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Reading
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
3.6 /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
-
Overview of Role
4/5
-
Skills Development
3.2/5
-
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
For the first 18mths, time is mainly spent at College on 3wk blocks, or completing coursework in between times. The remaining 18mths is spent gaining on-the-job experience. As a distribution design engineer for large capital projects from 11kV up to 125kV, the role focuses on the technical design and engineering of distribution network projects, including cable schemes, grid connections and substation upgrades. The skills involved include technical assessment and approval, project management, and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to ensure projects align with regulatory needs.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
You really have to own your own journey, and I can honestly say that it has been enjoyable - learning new skills, getting hands-on experience and real responsibility, the feeling of doing something worthwhile and lasting, and contributing to the infrastructure of the country and drive towards Net Zero.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Lots of building on existing skills such as collaboration, analysis, and both team / independent working. Developed an appreciation for health and safety, risk awareness and how to plan, scan and adapt.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
In theory, the programme is structured correctly - get taught the basics at College, enhance learning and develop on Placement. In practice it is up and down. College provided a very basic and generic overview of the EPNE role, so all technical skills have needed to be developed on-the-job, and that is very reliant upon the Placement having the necessary plans, structure and resource in place to nurture and develop apprentices.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
2/5
Support is provided by the Learner Team and the Placement Team. The Learner Team have been excellent in providing pastoral care and guidance. The Placement Team has not had a plan, or the structure and resource in place to develop apprentices properly for a design engineering role.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
The emphasis is on independent learning so you get out what you put in. There is plenty of support available, and the College does provide an overview of what there is and how to access it.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
The College modules covered are broad and generic to the role of EPNE, and so provides a very basic grounding. Some of the skills and behaviours developed at College, such as independent learning, presentation skills, project management techniques, are directly relevant and beneficial for the role.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
SSE has a myriad of social and group engagement and networks, so there is plenty of opportunity to get involved to whatever extent you want.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend SSE to a friend?
Yes
Why?
In my experience SSE does put its employees at the centre of decision-making, and there is ample opportunity to learn and develop both personally and professionally. I have enjoyed my apprentice journey to date... it has not been a perfect journey by any stretch but any issues encountered have been listened-to and improvements made.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to SSE?
Learn as much about the company, its aims (especially for Net Zero), and the regulatory environment. But most importantly, be yourself whether in an application or at interview. The company is interested in the person and will invest in that person if they believe they are genuine.
