Rail Engineering Advanced Technician Review
at Siemens
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Product Design
Croydon, Greater London
Review Submitted: May 2025
Overall Rating
4.2 /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
4/5
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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
The first half of my apprenticeship has mostly been college work, training courses and design under mentorship. I have regular reviews with my apprenticeship provider, assessor and line manager to ensure I am keeping on track and getting on okay. Networking/fun events are arranged throughout the year to get apprentices across the country together. Responsibilities mostly include self development and collecting evidence for competency and license.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
Being the only apprentice in my office, I found it difficult to understand how I should behave, in an adult workplace. Overall this is a good experience as I have been given the freedom to try and see what works best.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I have gotten a lot better at focusing on tasks. My college work has involved a lot of report writing, which, has helped me get better at articulating and explaining my ideas. It also helps with problem solving.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
I have regular reviews that monitor my progression and I am given tasks to do in manageable amounts to ensure that I am fulfilling certain criteria.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
There are plenty of opportunities for me to develop my skills and get involved. I have recently joined a womens mentoring group with other women in the industry. These group discussions should help me to figure out my aspirations.
During my reviews, I am encouraged to speak about any safeguarding concerns and I am asked about how I feel I am getting on.
During my reviews, I am encouraged to speak about any safeguarding concerns and I am asked about how I feel I am getting on.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
If I want help it is my responsibility to ask for it, however if they notice that I am failing to complete tasks, I will be asked about it and offered help.
When starting my competency, my assessor came to my office to properly help me select my topics and explain what I have to do for each one. This was really helpful as I do not think I would have been able to it independently.
When starting my competency, my assessor came to my office to properly help me select my topics and explain what I have to do for each one. This was really helpful as I do not think I would have been able to it independently.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
My college work gives me broad knowledge of how the railway industry works as a whole. Training courses like MOD5 and signalling technology course teach more technical, specialised topics that are relevant to the role I will be taking on.
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
I have participated in NTAR apprenticeship events, mentoring sessions, and charity events. We are encouraged to get involved in the greater community by using out paid volunteering days.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Siemens to a friend?
Yes
Why?
There is plenty of room for growth and personal development. There is a broad range of roles within the company, all sorts of skills are needed.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Siemens?
Ask all the questions and let someone know if you are struggling. Listen and make notes because is is all important information and you wont probably wont remember it all the first time that you are told. First Attempt In Learning - you wont get it all right first time and no one expects you to.
