Apprentice Technician Review

I am an apprentice technician, so my dad to day tasks revolve around a lot of CAD tasks. I am currently working on the Smart Motorways Programme, on the M1 J13-16. As the small is quite small I find myself doing some more technical work which I enjoy and I think these will help me when progressing to become an Engineer. As an apprentice I feel that I have been quite lucky as I have been able to manage the Volumetric Flood Impact on the scheme, this has meant that I have had to liaise with the Water Team and the modeling team. Once a week I also attend an external highways team meeting, this allows for the different disciplines inside oh highways to discuss how the job is progressing and to set dates for when tasks need to be completed.

Whilst being with Arup I have completed multiple trains courses. As the courses are easy to access through the Arup moodle, it is efficient and easy to access. Since starting I have also become a member of the ICE, which will allow for me to get formal letters after my name once sitting a formal review in the second year of my apprenticeship. I think this is a really good requirement at Arup because it shows the commitment to the area I work in.

From only being with Arup a short period of time, I can say that I throughly enjoy working here. Working with Arup was not what I expected, I thought that it would be very segregate. But it is very much the opposite, the atmosphere is very relaxed and everybody talks to each other. I find that as an apprentice I have lots of questions a day and that everyone has the time to answer them, and if I am turned away it is because they are busy but offer to answer the question later on. I never have the feeling of dread when coming to work and I feel this is a very important part because if you don't enjoy coming to work then something is wrong.

I feel very much appreciated at Arup. I have already been mentioned in a weekly highways wide email which makes me feel noticed and appreciated. As an apprentice I think this is what motivates me most, because it makes me want to get my name mentioned more times. I feel that my manager recognizes my input and it is often mentioned in the weekly external meeting I attend.

I feel the apprenticeship is organised well, the support provided by both Arup and Solihull College is suitable. I have found that the balancing NVQ, College and Arup work sometimes very challenging, especially towards the end of the college academic year as many deadlines are approaching. I have monthly meetings with my mentor which allows for me to discuss any problems that I may have. The head of apprentices in the Campus office [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyApprenticeship Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] is always keen to find out if there are problems with college and is happy for us to sit down with her if there were to be any.

I feel we get a suitable amount of support from the college. The college are very supportive of the NVQ and this is shown by them making an event where we can watch mock professional reviews. The way we are questioned in our NVQ meetings also is in the same format, which helps prepare us for the real one. A group of apprentice did draft an email to the college with a few problems that we were having but these were discussed in a meeting a couple of weeks later. I feel this shows that they are committed to helping us through the course.

I receive a lot of support off Arup, they are always willing to help improve the experience. My mentor is always willing to answer any of my questions and give my guidance through my difficult tasks. The head of apprentices is always interested in listening in on any problems that we may have, and each new apprentice is added to a Yammer page. This allows for all apprentices to be kept up to dated with anything that can help us improve. For example: school talks and public events.

The salary is ok, it allows for me to save my money but the majority of it is spent on petrol getting too and from the office as I live quite a far distance away. The wage is very good as I am only a level 3 apprentice and I feel it is competitive with other company's in the area. The big advantage of Arup is the flexible benefits. This is a big bonus as I get health care and a great pension included. This one of the reasons that I chose to work with Arup and do not mind travelling the extra miles a day to get here.

There are many sports activities offered outside of Arup and I do take part in the football every so often. Usually every week there are different opportunities offered. I have had to give up playing for a 5 a side team that i used to play for as I cannot make it to the pitch in time for kick off anymore.

Yes

I feel that Arup i an excellent company to work for as they offer so many different paths for an individual to progress through. Even when the apprenticeship scheme has finished, I have seen there are routes to take, e.g . getting your Masters. It is one of the best Civil Engineering companies in the world with some of the best beliefs. Also Arup is owned buy the people that run it, so our profit isn't split between shareholders, it is split between the employees.

Be confident, no body likes to blow their own trumpet, but when applying for a job I think it is acceptable. I think the best thing I did was read the Key Speech as i was able to relate to it in my interview. I also researched into less obvious Arup projects and more rare information known about Arup. I also prepared a portfolio which showed that I researched the company and was genuinely interested.