Civil Engineering (Design Engineer) Apprentice Review

As a civil/ digital engineer apprentice, I work on the BIM team (Building Information Modelling). Using software such as Bentley and Synchro, handling the 2d, 3d and 4d drawings for the construction of the Thames tideway tunnel. I liaise with the construction team and create 4d solutions following a construction sequence which helps oversee any constraints or hazards.

During the apprenticeship, I have become confident using software to create digital solutions, including Bentley and Synchro. I have also gained an appreciation to how design and construction merges together, through site visits. I have developed my public speaking skills, and general speaking skills when liaising with other people across the project.

I enjoy my apprenticeship as it allows be to gain experience within the construction industry, surrounded by other professionals who often guide me. Along with this working experience, I get to study and research the theory of civil engineering at university. This experience alongside the further education strengthens my knowledge and allows be to practice what i learn.

Surprisingly, I find the programme very well structured/ organised. Once I passed the interview, I enrolled to London South Bank University. I found this process to be much faster than I thought. The programme is for 5 years, every 6 months there is a review which ensures our progress as apprentices.

As mentioned before, the annual reviews and 6-month progress reviews guide me in my apprenticeship. The objectives I set down at the start of the year are fully supported by the employer. Before starting the apprenticeship, i was initially going to do a level 3 apprenticeship with contain, however upon seeing that I already had a-levels, contain supported the idea of a doing degree apprenticeship instead.

My training provider is London South Bank University, they are well organised with the lectures, tutorials and ensuring each student receives enough information to do their coursework. They have also set up extra classes, for example, a booster maths class to help students who are struggling in lectures with certain topics.

Through London South Bank University I have developed my software skills on AutoCAD and Revit, creating these 2d and 3d models has improved by modelling skills. Furthermore, the several assignment deadlines during term time, helps me increase my time efficiency in meeting other deadlines for work. The course enables be to understand the bases of civil engineering, alongside euro codes.

Costain have many social events that take place throughout the year. The costain roadshow occurs across the country, where all employees come together and network, its a good way to get to know everyone in the company. Also, there is another event similar to the roadshow, for apprentices, which is a 3/2-day out of office experience, where you meet other apprentices and take part in team working challenges/ tasks.

Yes

Costain has many apprenticeships available, form engineering to accounting, there's many opportunities available for people with many different interests. Costain provide apprentices to further develop in there area of studies, which means after completing a level 3 apprenticeship (which is equivalent to a-levels), Costain will support you further in doing a degree.

I advise others applying to Costain to make sure they have some sort of construction industry work experience on their CV's. This will definitely help your CV stand out from everyone else. The interview is more of a conversation, they want to know more about you, and who better to answer than yourself! For my interview, I bought in my portfolio which had my CAD designs and art work from A-levels, this was in digital copy and a hard copy.