Civil Apprentice Review

My role as a civil apprentice is acting as project leader on a CSO replacement scheme. This includes designing the scheme, dealing with the site, subcontractors, and other designers answering technical queries. I also assist in presenting information in small team meetings and going to sites to learn about construction methods.

Over my time at Mott MacDonald I've learnt many new skills from engineering techniques to communication, whether it be face to face, over the phone and even over email. I also have learnt self-management and organisational skills as I have been given lots of responsibility, so to ensure I keep on top of my day to day tasks I have to manage my work load.

I really have enjoyed my apprenticeship from the start, I have made a lot of new friends, and learnt a lot both at work and at College. The work-based method of learning really suits the way I learn, it has allowed me to learn theoretically at college and back this up with practical, real-life examples in the workplace.

The programme is well structured and the college - work link works well. However, there is a lack of on the job training, for example, specific courses and apprentice training. Other than this the process has been made easy by Mott MacDonald and the mentoring system has worked well. Delegation is also very professional and my team ensures I am never short of work, nor am I doing menial tasks.

I received all the support I could need from my employer, whether this be home life and wellbeing support or technical and education support at work. My mentor is always willing to try and make as much time to support me and help me develop my knowledge. Mott Macdonald have a great support system in place.

My training provider are always on hand to answer questions, we are assigned a work based learning mentor who we carry out regular meetings with. I can contact this person face to face or via email or phone. At College we also have a tutor who is always available to help.

My education at Leeds college to building is mostly relative to my industry however as Civil engineering is such a broad industry it is difficult to ensure that the college work is relevant to everybody's day to day tasks. The college always takes into consideration our work-life balance and tries to mentor us to achieve both at work and a college.

Mott Macdonald is a very sociable workplace, running events and activities almost every day of the week there are always things to do. they have large organised company-wide events every year such as a sports day. However, if you do not live close to the office it can sometimes be difficult to attend these events.

Yes

Because Mott MacDonald are an extremely diverse company with a focus on employee development, happiness, wellbeing, and health. They also pay on a par with the competition and have lots of opportunities for travel, different roles and climbing up through the company. The safety culture is a learn culture rather than blame so if mistakes are made, the company will distribute learning alerts.

Research the company heavily and find something that makes you stand out, there is always a lot of candidates for roles and you need to stand out at interviews and assessment days, The induction process is made easy by the admin team and after the initial day of e-learning, you will be straight into work.