Apprentice CAD Technician - Mechanical Review

apprentice CAD Technician - mechanical preparing and documenting drawings and tendering projects working alongside the helical piling team and others in the office externally i will meet with customers to discuss projects in the design stage. i am responsible for producing accurate and detailed drawings to BSI standards which are able to be manufatured or fabricated. i have worked on projects such as OPA works (oil pipeline agency) designing ladders staircases and platforms for the backford north site alongside this i have worked on projects at wylfa powerstation and fiddlers ferry power station preparing drawings for water and fuel storage tanks. on a daily bases i design and prepare drawings but more recently have been working on site supervising helical and grip lock piling works along the M1.

i am currently studying a level 3 course in advanced engineering and technology. which includes courses such as computer aided design, advanced mathematics and management within an engineering environment. internally i have had inductions so that i have the relevant knoledge to be safe on site. i have also gained a construction skills certificate scheme passport. from these i have gained experience to work efficiently in a variety of working environments and also the ability to keep myself and others around me safe while working.

my programme is very enjoyable and works well on a day release basis which gives me experience in the working environment aswell while at college the whole group learns as a team and everyone does there best to help one another. the company culture is also very friendly however there is not many younger learners like my self which is the only downside to the programme within my area.

i feel greatly valued by my work collegues and others around the office and on site and i receive good recognition for the work that i produce however there is not as much feedback externally or from directors but this is understandable. during my time with costain i have been involved in a number of tasks during these i was given full involvement and was able to design and prepare as much as i could manage within the time space as well as working on my own projects i have been given work for larger projects such as the wylfa powerstaition build in south wales.

firstly i was given a summer placement to get a feel of the working environment and to experience the diffrent roles within the company that were available to me, after choosing my role i started my training programe with the relevant units and have been supported by both my training provider and employer. i am given inductions when they become relevant to me such as recently i have had an induction for working along highways. to monitor my progress i have meetings with both my line manager and training officer with a simple system stating if i am; above, achieving, or below my target.

My training provider has been extremly helpful especially when giving guidance on job roles and what is needed to develop into different parts of the company they are always willing to support me and give me advice. and whenever i was given adviced or when i ask for advice the response is always friendly.

during my time with costain i have been in some difficult situations, as the office i worked in was relocated and the design work within this office no longer being persued, i was faced with the difficult choice of changing job role or company. in the end i have moved into a new position within costain and i was given good support from the HR team, manager and mentor.Generally the support i recieved was positive however on occasions i needed to chase up on people but evetually i recieved the suport needed.

it is a decent salary and i have been alocated work stations office space and ppe equipment however being an apprentice travel costs have to be payed for by myself and half of my salary has gone towards owning and running a car, however i am still able to save some money after all expenses which is great.

as far as im aware there is not many events or oppurtunities for work outside of working hours provided specifically for costain employers however i have not looked in to any of this too much so i cant be sure, when not at work there is plenty of time for social and leisure activitys i like to attend downhill moantain biking and enduro events. i joined costain fresh out of school so i havent expericenced not working however i would of probably persued in sporting activities focusing mainly on biking events.

Yes

its a great company to find a role that suits you as it is a large and diverse company there is many areas to explore and always people willing to help you find your way.

when i approached costain i went through a diffrent process to most people, as i attended a summer placement and was offered a position which is a great way to get to know how the company works and the roles available to you while getting payed at the same time. i would recommend ringing or even meeting directly with the office or sector you want to be a part of.