apprentice planner Review

I am an apprentice planner, this involves monitoring the work done on site and ensuring it sticks to the programme. I do this by running and monitoring the collaborative plan boards and speaking to the different members of the site team and going out on site to look for myself.

I have learnt a lot of new skills, for example how to use the program used to create the works programmes but I have also built on a lot of my existing skills - for example I have built on my communication skills a considerable amount since starting my apprenticeship at costain.

I really enjoy my programme, there is also new things to be learnt and I like that the work varies so I am not always doing the same thing - it definitely met my expectation for what it would be like and I feel like I am regularly rewarded for the work I am doing.

I would say the programme could do with a bit more of a plan for what is going to happen for me to get my training. however, I do feel well supported by everyone that I work with, when it comes to my day to day work tasks or even with my college work.

I definitely receive a lot of support from my employer, including regular one to ones with my manager and I know if I ever have any problems my manager or my L&D adviser would be happy to help me out. there is always a great attitude towards supporting apprentices.

At the beginning I did not receive a lot of support from my training provider, they were supposed to regularly come for meetings and they did not - however when a new person started they set up regular meetings to see me so the support has got better since they started.

I would say the qualification I am doing is good to give me a basic knowledge into construction, however it does not tend to help me in any of my day-to-day jobs. I have still managed to put some of the theory I have learnt into practice - just not as much as I would have liked.

I have set up at a young careers fair at a school for the company I work for and we had a team building day in the summer for the whole framework. I have also had a few social team nights out to celebrate successes we have achieved at work.

Yes

The apprenticeship programme is very good as you get to learn a lot while on the job and while getting a qualification. There are a lot of bonuses to working with Costain that make it worth your time doing the apprenticeship and to make you feel appreciated is an employee.

It is a very good opportunity for your future career, and although the application process may seem daunting it is definitely worth it. The interview can also seem daunting but everyone was very nice and there to help you out - they understand that you are going to be nervous if you are interviewing.