Civil Engineer Apprentice Review

Civil Engineer Apprentice - My job role is to execute accurate setting out and recording of civil engineering operations on site, either supervised or with guidance from the engineering team. My job role also involves me providing assistance to the engineering department and carrying out basic setting out and measurement duties. I am currently working on the BAM joint venture with Balfour Beatty and Morgan Sindall on Thames Tideway West in London.

The BAM apprenticeship develops both your personal skill set, and professional skill set. Personally, you will develop excellent team working and communication skills, due to working in large teams. Professionally, you will gain both a level 3 and level 5 HND qualification at college and be working towards achieving EngTech status from the Institution Of Civil Engineers. There are also lots of external courses that are offered, for example I have completed river safety training as I am currently working on the River Thames.

The BAM apprenticeship is extremely enjoyable and very rewarding. Whilst at college you'll have a great laugh with your fellow apprentices, whilst achieving the qualifications you'll need to enhance your knowledge. Site-work is also very enjoyable, the opportunity to be involved in some of the biggest projects in Europe and developing friendships with various characters on site is extremely rewarding - a massive team atmosphere.

From the very start of the BAM apprenticeship you know that you are valued by the company. Not only because the sheer amount of money that is invested on you, but also the recognition you will get for good work both at college and especially on site. Involvement in out of work events is also offered to all BAM apprentices, both at college and on site.

You can tell with the BAM apprenticeship that there has been a huge amount of planning and preparation to get it to the standard that it's at. The Apprenticeship Advisors are brilliant and will help out with any questions or worries that you have. You can also have a mentor if you wanted one from inside the business, who will give you guidance if you require it.

Leeds College of Building give you all the support you will need during college blocks, the tutors are only an e-mail or phone call away if you needed any guidance with assignments.

There's a huge support from BAM to their apprentices. Apprentices have advisers, these advisers are in contact a lot with us apprentices and give us guidance and answer any questions or worries that we may have. The HR team are also extremely quick with things like holiday booking and expenses claims.

The salary is extremely competitive for an apprenticeship - the extras that you receive also is incredible! Whilst at college, accommodation is paid for fully by BAM and train journeys home on a weekend are also paid for. On site, I receive a living away allowance for renting a place in London, and still get train travel paid back to Derby on a weekend if I want to travel back.

There is a huge amount of opportunities outside of work, after college there is a huge amount to get involved with - Leeds is a great city there's so much to do. On site, there is loads of events that take place. In London I have attended 4 BAM events in 5 weeks.

Yes

BAM is a great company to work for, the career progression that can be achieved is phenomenal and you are hugely valued from the very start.

My advise to anybody who would be considering applying or gets to the assessment day stage would be to ensure that prior research into BAM Nuttall is conducted, research the job role and be able to explain why you want a career in Civil Engineering or Quantity Surveying.