Apprentice Civil Engineer Review

The project I am currently working on is building a twin bored tunnel. As the project still in it's planning stage I assist mainly by editing documents and spreadsheets. I help out with printing and filing documents for people in the office. I also go on site and assist with site investigations. As the project goes on I expect to be given more responsibility.

I have gained my Level 3 BTEC in Construction and the Built Environment. I have developed more confidence and independence. This has been from taking on tasks by myself. Alongside this I have learnt business etiquette and interview skills while working in the office. But above all I have learnt to be more proactive, asking others for help and more work to do when I've completed tasks.

I really enjoy my apprenticeship as it has helped me to gain experience I never could if I just did A levels or went to college. BAM Nuttall really cares about diversity and sustainability within the construction sector which are things that are imporatant to me. It exceeds my expectations when compared to other apprenticeships I've heard about.

The apprenticeship is rather well oragnised. This is because unlike some other apprenticeships all learning is done in blocks there will some weeks of dedicated study around once a year. This way all your time on your project is just for work and learning about the job ad you don't have to worry about college work until your block starts.

I get lots of support from BAM Nuttall within this apprenticeship. There is always someone you can talk to about anything you're going through. When you start work on site there is someone assigned to you to take care of your welfare and show you the ropes. As it was my first time working this was a big help to have.

We get a good support to get our qualifications all things considered. Our tutor is always accessible, you can always email them if you need help from a task. I think it's fair to say that certain lecturers go the extra mile for their students. I quite like the support available.

I feel my qualifiation has well prepared me for working as a civile engineer. I learnt the maths, science and process that are actually used to complete tasks in the office. I learnt how use equipment that I know I'll use when work preoperly starts on site. As the BTEC is coursework based it helps develop your independence (which is a great skill to have at work).

Many of the extra-curricular activities that the company provides I do not attend as I am 16. I know my site has organised a few football matches and many team building activities are held either late in the evening or include drinking. But I have been to a Christmas dinner which was free and a company wide social event which were both very lovely. I'm sure when I'm older I'll attend more of these.

Yes

It is an incredible company to work with. There are so many benefits to working with them. They really support all their workers to become the best they can be. Even though I'm 16 I feel I am treated equally to any of the other workers in the office and not patronised. They are looking forward to into the future in terms of diversity and sustainability within the construction industry. They are also always changing the apprenticeship by listening to the feedback of apprentices so it gets better every year.

Do your research, find out about of the projects they have been a part of and definitely speak about it in the interview. My assessment day required me to do a test so definitely bring a couple pens and brush up on your maths skills. If your feeling a bit shy on the day, try and fake confidence and make yourself someone the assessors will remember, answer questions and put yourself out there. Have some prepared examples of where you demonstrated desirable skills and weave them into your interview answers. Remember your NI number you may need it.