Civil Apprentice Review

I currently work in geotechnical and environmental, as an apprentice in mott macdonald you switch departments every 6 months, which is great to gain experience and meet people to further your career, On a day to day basis I help out with any tasks that needs completing, you could be doing something different everyday, one day a CAD drawing the next a report. As an apprentice you also get the chance to go out on site, which is fun and gives you even more experience.

I have picked up not only skills on software such as AutoCAD, Microsoft packages, but also social skills. Motts provide a range of social activities such as a 11 a side football team which is suited to me. I have met new people though this and have contacts in each department as a result. My team work skills have definitely improved.

I thoroughly enjoy coming to work, the apprenticeship offers a day release to college which is another chance to meet new people and gain a qualification. Each day is different you could be on site 50 miles away, or taking on a new task at your desk, each day presents a new challenge for you to overcome.

Even as an apprentice I feel highly valued, my colleagues recognise I don't have a lot of experience and therefore help me gain it, I've been told multiple times that no matter how small a job I do it contributes on a much larger scale. This gives you more confidence and makes you feel as if you are a part of the project.

overall I would say my apprenticeship programme is very well structured, once a week I am on day release to college, where I gain my qualification and pick up more skills. The remaining 4 days I am in the office working on various projects. Its the perfect balance for me to gain knowledge in the classroom and gain experience in work.

Every 8 weeks or so we have a meeting with our training provider, they come in and see how things are going well and we are keeping up to standard, we receive regular newsletters from the training provider to see what's going on and how we can get involved, all the support is there if you need it.

Support from your employer is vital, this may be your first real job straight from high school and it can be daunting, at Motts you are given a buddy, this person will help you through your first few months. They show you the ropes if you like. after your first 4 weeks you sit down with your line manager and he reviews how you have done so far, this helps massively because they also set you targets for you to achieve in your next review, which is after 4 months. I receive more than enough support and this has made my first 5 months much easier.

Let me tell you, there are not many teenagers that come straight out of school and receive over £200 a week, at my age there isn't a lot you need to pay for, so the pay is great, you get over double the apprentice minimum wage, look at it this way, people are in college 5 days a week doing the same qualification, however they don't get payed and don't gain the experience of working in the real situations. So the pay is great

There are lots of opportunities yes, social and work beneficial. Socially there are lots of different sporting opportunities, we are in an 11 a side business football league. We have 5 a side football at lunch its a great way to meet people from work and stay fit. There are also sessions you can attend at lunch and after work to build up your CPD record.

Yes

Its a great opportunity to kick start your career, earn a wage and meet new people. Its important to gain experience and keep progressing in your career and Mott MacDonald can help you do that, the apprenticeship gives you experience is each sector, rail, bridges, rail and many more. Its the perfect starting point to a long and successful career.

Make sure you know you will be willing to put the time in to complete assignments and are committed to work. It is important to have a genuine interest in civil engineering. After applying you will be invited to take part in a mini exam. It isn't particularly difficult, a bit of math and English and science. Then I you pass you will be invited to an interview, just be yourself and be confident. Stick to your cv and sell yourself.