Apprentice Review

My Job title is Apprentice Technician, this role requires me to be involved in the production of drawings for projects. This involves me setting up the files and then filling the file with the correct engineering information to be presented to the client. I have also worked on highway design for my project which is something which is more advanced and required a higher level of responsibility and skill for the task.

I have learned a whole range of new skills from CAD skills on Microstation and Power civils to engineering knowledge on bridges, Geotechnics and highway design which i have been able to implement on a project. I have also been able to develop my interpersonal skills such as presentation and communication skills.

This programme has allowed me to develop as a person as well as learn a whole range of new skills which will better equip me for life and enable me to play bigger parts in future projects’ also enjoy the team that I am within as everyone regardless of ability or grade helps each other out.

Within Arup I feel that the work I do is valued this is because managers will acknowledge contributions and make people aware of the good work which I have done to help raise my profile within Arup. .

The structure of the programme is good as you are sent on an induction course which is based in Manchester and it’s a 3 day training course teaching you about Arup and the company’s values. You then receive a lot of training in the first 2 months and each employee is given a training budget which is to be used up. You get assigned a mentor who is to look after you in regards to studies and professional development. You have a 6 week catch up with your mentor to discuss any problems with work, college and just having a general chat to record progress.

The support received from the training provider is good, there are always people who you can ask questions to if you are unsure of anything. The support network is also very good as you have dedicated people who are trained to support employees with a range of different aspects whether that be college work, professional development, etc. and these people are pointed out to us by the training provider.

The support received from my employers is very good, there are always people who you can ask questions to if you are unsure of anything. You then have online courses and forums where you can also ask questions or research about a particular interest. The support network is also very good as you have dedicated people who are trained to support employees with a range of different aspects whether that be training, college work, professional development and these people are pointed out to employees to make them aware of the support available.

The salary which is given to me allows me to save money and also spend money on luxuries such as holidays abroad, clothes, nights out. However I do find a large proportion of my money is spent on fuel due to the distance of my commute into work. Saying this there is a set pay rise scheme which providing you adhere to set criteria you are granted a pay rise which helps cover costs of travel.

There are always activities going on outside of Arup such as all the sports and social clubs for example football, cricket, golf, badminton to name a few. Then within my discipline we have every 3 months a highways social which is where the team will go out, previous outings have been bowling and food, meals out, race nights, go karting. There is also a big push with helping out local schools so we have STEM ambassadors who organise talks for these schools about STEM and routes into the profession.

Yes

The high quality training that is provided from the employers, along with the vast support network, the chance to work on large, multi-million and billion pound projects, the social aspects that the company provide all make coming to work an enjoyable experience as you know you are being looked after.

Make sure that you conduct research on the company, i.e landmark projects and Arup’s involvement with them, then just be yourself and show passion for the industry and you’ll go far.