Civil Engineering Apprentice Review

General site engineer responsibilities including keeping site diaries, checking equipment, setting out, conducting surveys using engineering equipment, taking levels, creating service drawings and using these to draft permits to dig, etc.

I've become better at managing my time and being punctual; I've also learnt how to use engineering equipment within the first year and have been introduced to AutoCAD.

At the start it was quite interesting with having me learn and try out several new things/tasks and training to get me onboard. Whilst this is still somewhat the case, it has definitely slowed down now as I have been assigned my own monthly and weekly responsibilities to undertake to contribute on site. Thus I would be interested in moving projects in the near future.

I like the block release setup with having us sent to university for an entire week at a time as it separates it from the workplace and enables me, as well as the other apprentices, to get a good grasp of actual university life along with the luxury of staying in a decent hotel.

I appreciate that our office has several helpful civil engineers of varying experience who are not only my colleagues but also willing to help me in learning the job and helping me in filling any gaps I may have in my knowledge. In particular my line manager has always made himself available to patiently assist me with anything I have been struggling with.

Our lecturers in university have, from the start, made it clear that we can reach out to them remotely via email if not in person for help whenever required, with some even organising dedicated online and in-person support sessions for those who are in need, adjusting themselves to our schedules.

Whilst I have learnt so much in site, some of my knowledge of which can even be applied to university, I am still reminded that my degree is essential in giving me the foundational knowledge required to be a civil engineer as I am still limited on what I can work on.

We had an apprentice event at the beginning which was pretty fun and interesting and a nice getaway from work, offering networking opportunities. People at our office also go out together and play football weekly after work but I personally choose not to join them.

Yes

Supportive and reputable company with high standards that can enable you to travel to work on different projects, preventing your career from becoming mundane and boring.

Try to make yourself stand out in your application and interview by being confident, well-spoken and precise, relating your past experiences to how you could potentially use them on your job role.