Assistant Technician Review

- Creating Engineering drawings - Managing my own workload - Looking for ways to improve deliverable production - Discussions with engineers - Team meetings - CAD management

BTEC Level 3 in Civil Engineering (previous 2 years) HNC Level 4 in Civil Engineering EngTech CAD Management Basic engineering

The programme has a lot of potential. The main issue is that Arup doesn't seem to know what it wants from it's apprentices and adapts it's programme based on the tax incentives rather than what the business needs. This can lead to confusion over what support apprentices need from their team and what career paths the apprentice may want to follow. There is a lack of consistency in how apprentices are treated in terms of their development with some being paid less than others for not meeting certain criteria (or sometimes through error), whilst other doing the same get the standard pay rises. There is no clear incentive for doing better than the minimum unless you wish to progress down an engineering route, and those who have no aspiration to continue down and engineering route but would prefer a technical route seem to be looked down on (this seems to be a general culture of engineering rather than specifically just Arup).

I feel valued within my immediate team but not by the larger groups or company. There is little value and reward for day to day tasks and it is difficult to develop new ideas. Arup seems to like the idea of change and development but then cannot follow through with it.

My year was very well structured and organised. I don't feel the course is geared towards technicians but more towards those wanting to go down a pure engineering route. There is little development both internally and on the courses regarding BIM and CAD standards and these can differ between teams.

Solihull College delivered a good course considering is was in it's infancy. Even though some of the subjects were not all relevant (though this is hard to do) they were able to deliver an effective course despite a few issues out of their control (staff leaving etc.)

Arup is good at giving support to it's apprentices both with their college work and with professional qualification such as EngTech, though there is some politics on which engineering body you should join.

Salary starts at around 13,000 from the level 3 apprenceship and rises to around 24,000 by then end of a level 4 with a HNC. Pay rises are twice yearly untill completion and are then standard one per year. Due to Arup not being in the city centre the salary does meet costs, though it is difficult to get to the office by public transport. The salary is fair for the work expected to be done though it is sometimes unclear how you can progress in your career post apprenticeship.

Arup has a thriving sports and social team that supports and subsidizes many activities.

Yes

They are a very good company to work for, and there a lot of opportunities if you network and look for them.

Be assertive, make sure you find out what is required from you early on, be proactive in looking for work so that you don't get bored. A clearer outline of formal and industry qualifications with a time lime would have been useful with a guide on what experience you need for different career routes.