Apprentice Economist Review

My day to day activities involve supporting various projects within my team, including working with different disciplines including architects, urban designers, and engineers. I support the development of business cases, economic models, bid for new projects and internal projects. I often use analysis, statistics, and econometric skills.

Arup supports constant learning and development for its employees. As part of my apprenticeship, I develop a range of skills via on the job training, both hard and soft skills. Soft skills that I have developed include networking, communication, and confidence, whilst hard skills involve analysis, excel modeling and econometrics.

Being a degree apprentice involves a lot of responsibility and dedication, which can be challenging at times and involves a lot of sacrificed free time. Regardless, I enjoy learning at work, as well as having the opportunity to have a fully funded degree. I think a new apprentice would have to deeply consider the extent to how much effort and time they are willing to sacrifice to succeed in their apprenticeship journey.

My university work and apprenticeship is organised well through external applications such as Aptem and Moodle, which track the tasks which I have completed, and any outstanding work. As an apprentice, I have a line manager and an apprenticeship advisor who support me through my journey, and who make sure that I am not falling behind.

My employer provides me a lot of support through online training, practical hands-on training and support networks spanning various teams. There are senior staff who are always happy to help me. I have my own mentor who is a senior apprentice, a line manager in my team as well as an appraiser who reviews my progress every 6 months. Bi-weekly team meetings also play a large role in making me feel supported at work. Support is easily accessible- all I need to do is ask.

The University of Kent have a weekly webinar hosted by the module convenors which answers various questions related to the course. There are also various people who I am able to email with enquiries if needed. There are occasional face to face reviews of the apprenticeship, but I believe they could be more regular to further support me.

I believe the on the job training tasks, as well as the theory acquired from the university course is often relevant to the tasks which I do at work, however a majority of what I use at work is learned from hands-on training, whilst the apprenticeship aspect provides background knowledge.

The office which I work in is placed in a location which facilitates a lot of activities and events which take place. There are often social events, charity events as well as lunchtime sessions to further communication and interaction between employees. Events are often organised on a team level, which means that anyone can organise an event!

Yes

Arup is an amazing employee-owned firm, with social value and sustainability at its core. The working environment facilitates the production of high-quality work, as well as encouraging personal development and growth. It is a supportive and fascinating place to work, and a perfect start to a long career for an apprentice.

Throughout the application process, ensure you stand out. Highlight extracurricular activities which you have taken part in; have you gone to Cadets? Have you done NCS? If yes; say it! In the interview, be confident. Do not be afraid to show your true self, and flaunt your interests to come across as genuine. Research the firm, and highlight where your morals align with Arup's. At the firm, challenge yourself- step out of your comfort zone. Most importantly, stay curious, and learn something new every day!