Apprentice Civil Engineer Review

As part of my role as an Apprentice Civil Engineer, I work within the Highways section of Kier within the structures team, which includes working on highways bridges, culverts and Gantries. I undertake tasks throughout the value management and design processes of construction works which includes creating pre-construction documents such as risk assessment and hazard checklist, as well as completing design drawings which are used as part of the pricing of works and to outline the works requirements to our colleagues on site.

I joined Kier at the age of 16 after finishing my GCSE's so had little to none work experience. Since joining I have learnt to use computer aided design software such as AutoCAD and have learnt how to apply knowledge learnt through others into the drawings I create. I have also learnt about the design processes and standards used by the majority of Civil Engineering company's and what works are undertaken by Kier and what goes on as part of these works. Once learning this I have developed my risk assessment writing skills to match the works we do on site.

Our program is very enjoyable as Kier takes on many apprentices which lets you communicate and work together to help each other learn and enjoy your role through creating friendships with colleagues. Kier also provides many opportunities to experience new things and learn about interesting things that may not necessarily be a part of your role by hosting CPD talks with other members of the company as well as with other external companies. These CPD talks can be very enjoyable.

The Kier degree program is very well structured as our course class contains members of Kier from all over the country, these means there is a wide network of people working together to learn as part of the same company even though you may be in differing roles. Kier works closely with Anglia Ruskin to help get the best learning experience and this ensures if there are any worries about your program they can be fixed straight away. Although distance learning can be difficult as there is not always someone from your provider to talk to right away and you must rely on an email reply.

Kier provides excellent support as it has its own dedicated Early Careers team who are always on hand to advise if need be. Kier allows you to undertake the 20% off the job learning that must be done as part of the course by allowing weekly study days so that you can continually make progress with your work. The majority of the other employees have undertaken similar courses so are always on hand to help with any questions.

4 weekly blocks are undertaken each year with the rest of the course being undertaken online. The weekly blocks are very useful and the tutors are very knowledgeable, although the distance learning can be difficult as there is not always someone from your provider to talk to right away and you must rely on an email reply. Weekly learning material is provided by online lessons and works sheets to help you continually learn although there can be technical issues which slow working down.

The degree program helps you to learn key knowledge that is a lot harder to learn while on the job but can be applied to help you undertake more tasks as part of your role. It also you to learn off of other people who are in different roles to your colleagues at work so have a different outlook and certain things and may have knowledge that can't be gained at work.

Kier provides many extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work, they help hold CPD talks to further your professional development as well as meet others in the industry. Social activities are very common such as Christmas meals and going out for drinks with colleagues for birthdays. With some members of Kier even setting up sports teams like a 5-a-side football team for employees to socialize and make friends.

Yes

Kier is provides lots of support for its employees in many different ways. It provides lots of on the job learning as well as setting up courses for employees to learn of the job as well as helping employees towards furthering there development with qualification. Kier encourages collaboration and helps you to work and learn off of others as well as gaining friends to socialize with in and outside of work.

I would advise others to look as much as possible into the role you would like to apply for. Learn about the construction industry to provide as possible to show that enthusiastic and are interested in a job with Kier. I would also advise others to look into Kiers values and to try and meet and refer to these within your application.