Apprentice Review

At this current time I am working with the cost management team at Arup in Solihull. I have primarily worked on infrastructure projects. I am currently working on the high speed rail link known as HS2. I am working on the section in the West Midlands between Birmingham and Crewe.

Before starting at Ove Arup and Partners I had some skills in ICT. I now believe my skills in Excel and other programs such as Microsoft Power Business Intelligence are at mastery level. My time in cost management and Solihull College and University Centre has taught me the fundamentals of quantity surveying.

I do enjoy my course that Arup have enrolled me on at Solihull College and University Centre. There are pros and cons of becoming an apprentice, such as not having to pay tuition fees but a con is the portion of social life you have to sacrifice to ensure the work given can be completed

The programme at Solihull college and university centre has it's strengths and weaknesses. with the program you are provided a mentor one from your workplace and another from the college known as an assessor who comes into your workplace and looks at the work you have submitted to your NVQ.

As mentioned in question four you are provided a mentor within your workplace and this relationship is generally formal to start with, my mentor is also seen as a pastoral mentor whom looks after work problems but can be seen as someone i trust inside the business for support if needed.

I am allowed 2.5 hours a week to complete my NVQ work and this is a good allowance they have allowed for per week for all apprentices. there are also lots of different internal training courses and lunchtime talks available to go to if i wanted to gain more skills.

The course at Solihull college and university centre helps me learn good practises in report writing and the fundamental skills of construction based work. The course i am doing is a pathway that allows me to learn more about the job i do. The course informs me of different areas of industry needed to be a successful qs

Yes, at Arup we celebrate diversity and inclusion quite frequently. As well as this we have different social clubs and annual events such as international football tournements and ski trips. there is also a gym on site. We have away days within our group and being seconded with another group i was invited to their events as well.

Yes

Arup is a great place to work. The people who work at Arup make it special and unique. I would recommend anyone to work here due to the benefits, experience and enjoyment I have got and received since working here. It is a great opportunity and I am grateful for it.

When applying to Arup, I would suggest researching the Ove Arup Key Speech, this is the creator of Arup's values and direction for the company. If you want to be apart of the company you need to be familiar with what it stands for, that is my advice when applying.