Joining SSE as an Trainee Engineer Apprentice
I am Sammy Robertson, a Trainee Enginee. I studied maths and physics in school, and then went on to study pure maths at university. Towards the end of my degree, I began to realise that I wanted to move towards a practical career with a positive social impact, so when I came across the trainee scheme at SSE I knew that it presented the perfect opportunity for me. I live in Dundee at the moment but I’m planning to relocate to Perth soon as my role is based in the head office.
Which sectors did you consider applying to for your Trainee Engineer role? What made you choose SSE Renewables Onshore Wind?
SSE Renewables appealed strongly to me because I wanted to work in a field where I would know that my work was making a difference and helping to support the global green transition. I chose Onshore wind because this is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the UK’s energy mix with excellent career prospects.
How did you find the recruitment process?
The recruitment process was thorough but very transparent. After submitting a written application and completing the online video interview, I was invited to attend the Perth office for an in-person assessment day. As every stage, I was kept fully informed about the progress of my application.
Do you have any advice for students considering applying for the SSE Apprenticeship Programmes?
My main piece of advice to applicants would be: Practice the video interview! If your initial online application is successful, you will immediately be invited to record your responses to several virtual interview questions. It can feel quite unnatural to talk at length in front of a camera, and the best way to prepare for this is to record yourself answering some common interview questions until you are confident.
Tell us a bit about your experience on the apprenticeship programme, including any placement highlights and opportunities.
One of the highlights of the programme so far has been the opportunity for site visits. For example, a couple of months ago I had the opportunity to travel up to Inverness and visit Foyers Power Station, a 300 MW pumped hydro scheme which is one of the largest hydro schemes on the UK. Another benefit of the trainee programme is that it offers an opportunity to get familiar with every aspect of the company and the work it does. As a trainee, I am encouraged to ask as many questions as possible and often get the chance to shadow experienced engineers as they work.
Tell us about the work you have been doing.
My time at SSE so far has been split equally between work and college. At work, I am based in the head office in Perth. I sit in the Operational Systems team, which provides operational support for the Onshore Wind and Hydro control rooms, manages the commissioning of new renewable generation sites, and engages in ongoing development and testing work. One of the major pieces of work I have been involved in is the commissioning of the brand-new Onshore Control Centre. This was the culmination of a several-month-long project to increase the capacity of the control room to meet the rapid growth of onshore wind. Helping out with this project was a great way for me to gain a deeper understanding of the systems and infrastructure that SSE Renewables deals with daily.
