Apprentice Engineer Review

On a day-to-day basis, my job consists of following other engineers around on site to help them do jobs, which I can learn to do for the future. This usually involves lots of surveying, concrete testing/cube making and setting out. When I’m in the office, I am learning to do all kinds of paperwork to become a successful engineer. At the moment I am taking care of COSHH files and filing concrete tickets.

I have learnt plenty of new skills since starting this apprenticeship. One thing that I have learnt is to slump test concrete and to make concrete cubes, then stripping them and cleaning the moulds once they are dry. Another skill that I have learnt is to use most of the surveying equipment and how to set it all up. I have learnt a lot more as well but these are the things I have mainly learnt.

I enjoy this programme very much especially when I am on site. It is fun and I am learning something new every day. I also like the college side of this apprenticeship as I have met so many new friends since I started and the team treat you very well when you are living away from home. The only thing that I would say is that sometimes I get quite stressed with my college work but that is a personal preference.

The programme is very well structured with college blocks and on site blocks being clearly set out. Sometimes the managers are a bit slow to tell us what is happening but it is mainly okay. When we are at college, we are look after very well and the apprenticeship managers make sure to keep in touch with us.

We receive plenty of support from our employer. They are always there to supports us because they just want to see us succeed. Also, there will always be someone to get in touch with if we need help with anything. Another great thing is that the cost of travelling and living away from home is covered by the company and already sorted for our college blocks.

From our training provider, we get as much support as we would get if we were at college as a full time student, maybe even some more as our time there is shorter than full time students. Every tutor is always open to receiving emails if we are not in college yet need help.

7. I think that our work for our qualifications will help us in the future for our careers because we gain lots of knowledge that we can apply to the practical side of the job. However, I think that the amount of writing required to get the qualifications is a bit excessive but that is down to the exam board not the training provider.

At work we have lots of opportunities to get involved with social activities like sports and other activities. A lot of people like to get involved with football, like making their own football teams, or golf. If it is not sports, everyone likes to go out for meals together and no one is ever left out.

Yes

I would recommend this apprenticeship to a friend because it is and excellent way to start a career in civil engineering if you are not keen of the university route. They look after you incredibly well and you get a good mix of practical work on site and college work. Even at an apprentice level, the pay is great and also the amount of annual leave.

For people applying I would say to make sure you have plenty of knowledge on the company. Also, if you have a local BAM site near you, try and see if you can organise work experience to see if you like the job and to be a name that stands out during the application process.