Hear from our graduate apprentices

George Holt

George Holt

Advanced Apprenticeship in Electrical and Healthcare Products

George started the Advanced Apprenticeship in Electrical and Healthcare Products in September 2015, and graduated in August 2019.

"I prefer to learn about my desired field by engaging in practical activities and on the job learning so an apprenticeship was the right choice for me. An added benefit would also be that I would also gain employment and would be looked after whilst I trained."

 

Siemens Healthineers is known worldwide and is a very prestigious company. When I saw the apprenticeship role, I thought that my strengths would suit the job well and that it would be something I would be good at but also enjoy.

I have always enjoyed the study of engineering and how things are made, once I finished my GCSEs and A levels I knew I wanted to work in some sort of engineering role as my grades and interests matched up with an Engineering role.

A typical working day would begin by driving to work for the allocated time agreed with Siemens and the customer (usually 9 am). Once at work I will speak to the customer asking questions about the state of the system if I was sent for a breakdown, before gaining access to the system. I will use the knowledge I have from previous jobs, training courses etc. to fix the problem the customer is having. 

Once finished I will fill in the relevant documentation and speak to the customer once more, letting them know the system is fixed and they can use it again. I will then leave work and travel home where I will usually catch up on admin work and other tasks for my apprenticeship that may need completing.

Being organised in my day to day role is by far the most challenging part of the job for me. I must keep up to date with many things such as calibration of test equipment, parts processing and returns, laptop synchronizations and admin work etc.

The satisfaction I get from the customers in the hospital when I let them know I have fixed their system is definitely the most rewarding part of my job. They are always very grateful when they can use the system again.

My advice to my younger self would be to enjoy the four years I will have as an apprentice as I will meet many friendly people and be well supported in the tasks I will be set. I would say to myself to get in the mindset of having a job not an apprenticeship as this will prepare myself well for the future at Siemens Healthineers.

It was an unexpected experience when I got told I was going to the training centres in Germany and the USA. It made me feel like a valued member of the team and that I was trusted to represent Siemens Healthineers GB&I across the world.

I would say definitely apply, as it is with a great company who will support you along the way. The apprenticeship has many perks and you will meet many friendly people from around the world.

Sam Croft

Sam Croft

Advanced Apprenticeship in Electrical and Healthcare Products

Sam began his Advanced Apprenticeship in Electrical and Healthcare Products in September 2015, and graduated in August 2019.

"I personally chose to do an apprenticeship rather than other pathways of study as I wanted the possibility of becoming a highly trained engineer while still being paid to work while I study."

The opportunity to work for a company that is globally recognised was a big factor in my decision to do my apprenticeship. Siemens Healthineers is a leading body in the field of healthcare, and the possibility to become part of it in the future is exciting.

I usually begin my working day by heading to my local Bybox system where I collect the parts needed to carry out the maintenance task. Once the parts have been correctly confirmed, I would then drive to the required hospital and contact the customer on my arrival. 

After talking to the customer regarding the analyser’s issue and confirming I am at the correct analyser, before begin the activity I am attending for. On completion of the activity, I would speak to the customer regarding the work I have completed and then fill out a service report to be emailed to the customer.

Dealing with time sensitive issues can be the most challenging part of my job, for example: when working on an analyser in what can be very high-pressure environments.

When you arrive at a Hospital with the analyser completely not operational and hospital staff are having to work harder because of it, it is rewarding when I am able to quickly resolve the issue and return the analyser to the customer.

I think at the beginning of my apprenticeship I was afraid of making mistakes and if I could, I would go back to tell advise myself not to be as I’ve had so much support throughout my apprenticeship and learnt a great deal in the process.

I think I have gained more and more confidence as I have gone through my apprenticeship, not only my work but also everyday life. I’ve had to communicate with different types of customers/colleagues and perform tasks such as presentations.

I would say, with a Siemens Healthineers apprenticeship you have the possibility to become part of a global, highly trained group of engineers specialising in medical equipment. There are many advantages of working for Siemens Healthineers which includes having a massive support base for apprentices while still giving the individual space to learn and grow into their role. As an apprentice with Siemens Healthineers you will also gain access to a company vehicle on your second year and have the chance of taking training courses in Germany and or America.