Apprentice Civil engineering technician Review

As an apprentice civil engineer, I work mainly on-site. This can consist of assisting and/or shadowing other engineers within the project. This includes setting out, marking stats, finding levels, surveying and lots more. Day-to-day, I am learning through the experience and knowledge of others, asking questions and being given tasks to help me improve as an apprentice. Furthermore, when I am in the office, I learn how to do drawings and cross sections on CAD and complete diaries at the end of each day to show the changes within the project.

Since only having left high school last year with no prior knowledge in construction, my range of skills has increased majorly. I have learnt how to do physical things on-site with a variety of equipment. For example, I have learnt how to set up a total station independently and survey different areas of site. Not only have I gained physical skills, I have also improved my confidence and speaking skills. To develop these, I have took part in a podcast for national apprentice week and became an apprentice ambassador for Leeds city council. I have also developed my knowledge skills through college which I attend once a week, enduring a level 3 course in civil engineering learning about health and safety, construction design and technology etc. Furthermore, I have learnt new skills through completing training, E-learning and multiple courses.

Overall, I am really enjoying my current programme and I am empowered to continue learning and improving myself as an apprentice civil engineer. I enjoy working both on-site and in the office with all my colleagues being helpful, kind and teaching me skills to the best of their abilities. I enjoy going to college and enhancing my knowledge in construction whilst taking on all opportunities which contribute to self development.

The programme is structured in a well organised way. I receive support throughout my programme, spending four days at work and one day at college. This provides me with enough time to complete all my given tasks, including any work at college. It is structured so that I gain a part of experience through two different sides of engineering through a civils and a build side. This enhances my knowledge as a receive it through two different ways.

I receive a great amount of support from my employer. I know I can always ask any questions and I will be supported throughout my time as an apprentice. My employer puts me on training courses to help me improve and learn more about the construction industry and I am always being offered opportunities for self improvement. I am given positive feedback for tasks I complete and I am made to not feel judged when i get things wrong. My employer positively influences me to keep asking questions and to ask for help whenever I need it.

I receive good support from my training provider. I am given plenty of resources and revision material as well as the opportunity to join a maths call on a Friday. My training provider supports me to ask questions in lessons and gives me advice when writing assignments for improvements. Due to only having one day at college, I feel the short time we have is used effectively, support is constant throughout the course.

I feel like my qualification helps me perform partially better, however, we are not taught the physical skills of being a civil engineer. This means that I only gain knowledge in construction as we don't get to practice with equipment. Therefore, I don't think it helps me perform majorly better as we only learn about construction in general.

Since being an apprentice, I have taken part in multiple professional networking events. When I first started with my company, I went to Manchester to endure a early careers festival. This was a large networking event catering hundreds of people. Since then, i have taken part in a podcast about being an apprentice and even became an apprentice ambassador for Leeds city council. Furthermore, I am attending a women in construction event in London in March, with many more to come in the future.

Yes

I would definitely recommend Balfour Beatty to a friend. I receive quality on-site experience, given by kind, professional people. I enjoy learning with Balfour Beatty and I am excited to gain more experience and attend more networking events. All of my colleagues are helpful and want the best out of me, providing me with as much information and skills as they can. Balfour Beatty is a great place to pursue a career.

For people applying to Balfour Beatty, I would advise them to just be themselves and be confident, ask lots of questions and never stop, to widen their knowledge. I would advise people to take as many opportunities as they are given and take part in as many networking events they get the chance to.