Schneider Electric - What Career Live

Company Profile

About Schneider Electric

Schneider’s purpose is to empower all to make the most of our energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability for all. We call this Life Is On.
Our mission is to be your digital partner for Sustainability and Efficiency.

We drive digital transformation by integrating world-leading process and energy technologies, end-point to cloud connecting products, controls, software and services, across the entire lifecycle, enabling integrated company management, for homes, buildings, data centres, infrastructure and industries.

We are the most local of global companies. We are advocates of open standards and partnership ecosystems that are passionate about our shared Meaningful Purpose, Inclusive and Empowered values.

Begin an amazing career with a bright future

We provide a platform for Early Talents to advance their career by placing you in a dynamic and collaborative environment, that supports your learning, development and well-being. Opportunities are available across the UK & Ireland for students and fresh graduates to gain exposure to our business. Get involved in big projects from the beginning and play your part in delivering safe, reliable, efficient, sustainable, and connected energy for everyone.

Schneider Electric Diversity and Inclusion

Inequality does not stop in the face of a pandemic. As we move back to “business as unusual” knowing that minorities are even more impacted during challenging times, there is more work to be done to make inclusion a reality for our diversities.

Throughout October we recognise both LGBT+ Awareness Month globally and Black History Month in the UK. We will recognise and celebrate our LGBT+ and Black communities in all their individual diversity and uniqueness, as we aim to build awareness, develop allyship, and advocate for the community.

We are already making great strides in becoming a best in class employer for diversity and inclusion. And it hasn’t gone unnoticed – in 2020 Schneider had earned a spot on Forbes’ Best Employers for Diversity 2020 and the World’s Most Admired Companies by Fortune.

Ultimately, we want everyone to be their authentic selves, and remember, “I am Me, I am Unique, I am Schneider”.

More about Schneider Electric

Schneider Electric – David Griffiths

Advanced Electrical Engineering Apprentice David Griffiths

David is part of the advanced apprenticeship in Telford, United Kingdom as an electrical and tendering engineer. As a second-year apprentice, David touches on his experience as an electrical engineering apprentice and why he is glad to have chosen to pursue it full-time.

How did you decide you wanted to do an engineering apprenticeship after school?

After I had finished my studies at school, I decided I wanted to start working towards a career which I had been interested in for a while. I felt I was ready to be more independent, and to adapt to a working environment rather than continuing to study full time. That is when I decided to start looking for Advanced Electrical Engineering Apprenticeships in the area.

What was it that attracted you to join Schneider Electric?

The appeal from Schneider Electric initially was that they are an international business with a strong position in a growing market. When researching the company prior to my interview, I was also able to understand the company’s aims in an environmental aspect, and how conscious they are of designing products that limit the impact on the environment as much as possible. Furthermore, on the website of Schneider, there were stories of employees who had grown in the business from a similar position to my own and this was very encouraging.

Tell us about a typical day in the office?

My current placement at Schneider is a Tendering Engineer in the Telford office. As a Tendering Engineer, I am required to tender to the job requirements from a customer, which are sent through to inboxes depending on which region in the UK the job has been sent from. I will communicate with a Sales Engineer to ensure we have all the documents necessary to quote the job, and then analyse the schematic drawing and schedules to create a total price.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Since joining Schneider Electric, I have most enjoyed how supportive the company has been to myself. Everyone I have met so far has been very welcoming, and as an apprentice, I have been included in meetings and other activities which may not have been the case had I joined a different company. So far I have not been able to travel to some of the sites and locations I would like to see, but hopefully this is possible in the future.

Is your apprenticeship what you thought it would be?

I did not think I would be as involved in some aspects of the business, this has given me some great insight and experience, which I do not think I would have seen if I had chosen to study at university/full-time college.

How do you balance work and studying?

As electrical engineering apprentices, we are required to attend college 1 day a week where we study towards degree qualifications. During this day we have plenty of time to study and work on assignments during breaks as well as at home. Everyone in our class is either an apprentice or works full-time, so we all help each other out when someone in this class is struggling to understand something.

What type of job would you like to do when you finish your electrical engineering apprenticeship?

At the moment I am unsure what type of role I am most interested in. I think I would enjoy working in different countries in the future, but I still have just under 2 years left of my apprenticeship and will move across various departments over that period of time. Hopefully, I will have a better idea of what I want to do during the next couple of years, however, for now, I am happy to gain knowledge and experience anywhere within Schneider.

What advice would you give anyone thinking about doing an apprenticeship?

Personally, I think an apprenticeship is a great opportunity for someone after they have finished school. It gives you the chance to learn about a wide range of topics and realise what you are most interested in. Everyone starts in a similar position and joining the right company for you to improve your own skills set is very important.

Schneider Electric – Tyra Banks

Engineering Apprentice Tyra Banks

Tyra is in her first year as an advanced engineering apprentice in the Telford, United Kingdom location at Schneider Electric. Although her apprenticeship is on rotation, currently she is enjoying her role in the customer care centre. She answers questions about why she chose to take part in an engineering apprentice!

How did you decide you wanted to do an engineering apprenticeship after school?

I have always had a natural interest in electrical engineering, and, since the engineering industry is constantly growing – as well as the innovation that is found within the industry – it was even more appealing to me. I found it would benefit me more to have an apprenticeship in comparison to other routes as this allows me to work in my desired field whilst gaining a qualification in it.

What was it that attracted you to join Schneider Electric?

I was attracted to Schneider Electric as they offered further educational opportunities for me, such as the offer of completing an HNC (Higher national certificate) after the apprenticeship’s completion. I was also attracted to the variety of working environments they offer, as I will be moving around the different departments thus giving me a realistic experience of the different roles found in Schneider Electric and giving an insight into the potential career paths offered to me within the company.

Tell us about a typical day in the office?

Currently, I am working in the Customer Care Centre. A typical day for me in this department involves sitting with members of the team whilst they demonstrate processes used within the department that are necessary for them to fulfil their role, completing any tasks I am issued by team members and completing training that would enable me to perform the processes done by those in the department so I can deal with customer inquiries and other responsibilities in the role independently.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I enjoy most how I am given an accurate and honest insight into the different roles within Schneider Electric: the different departments involve me with the tasks they complete daily and welcomed me as part of their team. The departments I have been in have provided support and advice regarding the roles, including providing me with tasks that they would complete and giving the appropriate support, detailing how to successfully fulfil their role, product knowledge and the appropriate responses to customers.

Is your apprenticeship what you thought it would be?

My role as an engineering apprentice is what I thought it would be. However, I have been introduced to a wider variety of roles than I expected through my time in the different departments. Also, I have been given an array of opportunities to familiarise myself with the company and to promote it, such as visits to other Schneider Electric sites, discussions with members of the HR team and attending career conventions.

How do you balance work and studying?

I maintain balancing work and studying by completing college work such as assignments and independent learning at college or at home. If I am struggling with the content or a specific task, I can confer with the different departments at work and they provide advice and support.

What type of job would you like to do when you finish your engineering apprenticeship?

I am unsure of the specific role I would like to have. However, I am interested in a job where I can work closely with both customers and products, where I can work practically with products and apply my knowledge.

What advice would you give anyone thinking about doing an apprenticeship?

I would advise anyone considering an apprenticeship to make it known to their mentor or the person responsible for them if there are areas they are struggling with and if they would need additional support or advice, and that they are welcome to ask general questions. I would also advise them to accept any opportunities such as attending career conventions and volunteering to do tasks/events.