Apprentice Civil Engineer Review

My role as an apprentice engineer is to provide assistance to site engineers on my job. When taught and asked to perform tasks I complete these as best to the best of my ability and in the way I have been taught. A typical day-to-day role for me can involve various tasks, such as; setting out, levelling, concrete slump tests and cubes, submitting order forms and other basic electronic administration tasks.

Over the early course of my apprenticeship I have certainly learnt some valuable skills. I have learnt how to perform engineering tasks on site, as mentioned in the previous question. As well as this, I have developed some personal skills, such as communication with all those on site, including people from all different age ranges and backgrounds.

So far, I have thoroughly enjoyed my programme. I think that the site placement element mixed in with the Leeds College of Building college practice is a very good way to approach an apprenticeship. This gives me the chance to learn in a classroom exactly what I would be doing on site as an engineer, and then being able to transfer this onto a site placement.

As mentioned above, I think the structure of the apprenticeship is excellent. There is the ability to learn the necessary skills in a professional college on a well constructed timetable, and then the ability to take this with you on site when needed. I feel the time on site and the regular college blocks have been set out perfectly so far, in that you do not spend too much time in college and too little time on site. Bam Nuttall have found a great balance of this.

The support I have received so far on my apprenticeship has been excellent. When at college there is regular visits from our employer making sure everything is running smoothly with all the apprentices. When on site, they are always contactable, and if needed they are always happy to come and visit us, no matter where we are.

Again, when working towards our necessary qualifications, we constantly get the support we needed. Whether this be in our college block in which all of our tutors are approachable and very helpful when needed, as well as our employers' making regular visits. Or whether this be on site when completing our NVQ work, in which we get regular tutorials (at least one per week) from our tutor, which are more than helpful and flexible enough for us not to waste time/miss something important on site.

The first 3 months of my apprenticeship were in college, in which I learnt the necessary, basic tasks that I will be performing. Then, when on site I have already a foundation of knowledge that can be used to do these tasks. Also, then when I am on site, by completing the NVQ qualification, I am constantly expanding my knowledge so that I can transfer this on site.

Yes, there is a wide variety of activities to get involved in both on site and in college. For example, in my college block, there was plenty of people who wanted to play football, so the college organised for us to play weekly at a local league. On site, this is also possible. Professional networking events also occur frequently, giving me the chance to meet new people within the company, each with their own, individual stories to share, most of which are rather beneficial to me.

Yes

From a personal point of view I have thoroughly enjoyed my first 6 months with Bam Nuttall. So far, the company have offered everything that is needed, and more. There is a good balance between classroom-based learning and on-site time. There is always support when you need it in both workplaces. Everyone I have met has been kind, friendly and supportive.

When submitting an application, make sure you have included everything you have done, and make it represent you as a person. If you get through to the interview phase, be yourself and be confident. There is no need to be nervous, everyone is friendly and will always help you. Research about Bam Nuttall as a company and explain why you chose to apply for this company over others, and prove to the employer that you want this job, and why you should get it.