Apprentice Civil Engineer Review

When I first started, my job involved learning the basics about the site, terminology, and familiarising myself with roles within a project as I have not had any previous construction experience. This ensured I was confident and comfortable in the workplace and not thrown in the deep end. As I grew more confident, I worked and shadowed the site engineer and his daily roles on site. Within a few weeks, I was able to use and set up machinery and assist him.

I have never had ay construction experience, which I thought would prove difficult but the BAM apprentice team and my colleagues understood and ensured I didn't feel out of place and helped me develop my skills. I have become more confident as I am one of the youngest in the project so having your voice heard may seem intimidating, as well as communicating on the phone with company's to order material. I have also learned how to write activty plans, risk assessments and use software such as AUTODESK.

As an engineer is stereotypically a male, as a female, I thought that I may find it difficult to be heard and might be treated differently, however, the company's culture ensures that discrimination in any way is not permitted. I can, therefore, focus on my job and assist the engineer with joy. The other colleagues treat me well and make sure that I am learning and kept busy. There are many programmes in place such as 'Young BAM' and the company takes pride in ensuring people are taking mental health seriously; everyone is given 2 wellbeing days that they can use.

The programme is structured very well and ensures we have enough time to study, but what sets apprentices apart from undergraduates is the experience gained. BAM ensure we have enough experience on-site to be able to learn and develop skills that may not necessarily be able to in a classroom. We are able to email our apprentice mangers whenever we need support, as well as those on the project. The tasks set to me are fair; they know that I don't have enough experience to be delegated some tasks but at the same time, they are challenging too.

My apprentice managers provide a lot of support and it is very accessible; they are an email/call away. Despite looking after many apprentices (and sometimes having other roles), they treat you as individuals and do what needs to be done to ensure you are happy and safe. My line manager on my site sets me with work and also prepares me for my next project. He ensures that I thoroughly understand a task and the bigger picture that the task provides to the project. My agent on the project also ensures I have enough work to do and makes me feel included whether this is in meetings or setting tasks. If you live away from home or would like to, during college you are provided with a free place to stay, and if you are working away from home on the project, you have given extra money and a hotel to stay at for the first two weeks.

In college, my tutors understand that I have no construction experience so I may take more time needed to understand things. They provide support by posting resources online so they are easily accessible, as well as reading material. If they understand an assignment is too hard, they extend the deadline and are very understanding. I enjoy my time at college and have a social life too.

The content I have learned in college was taught so that whilst we were gaining our qualifications, we were also prepared for what we may see on-site; all my tutors had previous experience being on-site. Whether this is how to complete a risk assessment and identify risk, or it is how contracts work, the qualification has helped me see what I have learned into practice.

There were many opportunities available for extracurricular such as football and athletics in college. Christmas time, the company paid for a meal for all apprentices, which was a nice social gathering to say our goodbyes. On our first day as apprentices, we were also taken out for a meal by the company, which was a nice way to get to know the other apprentices better.

Yes

The amount of support provided is amazing; the company treats you so well. they understand that some of us are young and may not have any experience and ensure that everyone is comfortable. BAM doesn't treat you as a basic student who is set tasks for the sole purpose of keeping busy; they treat you as an employee and set tasks that will help towards a project. The pay is great, considering there are some 16-year-olds too and you meet so many people who will share their positive experiences that they have gained within the company too.

Do your research on the company! It is impressive that someone has taken their time out to research the company on the previous project, and facts and figures. be confident and be proud of your achievements! They don't need to be construction-related, don't feel pressured that you must have construction experience. whilst this may be good, employers understand that you are young and may not have experience; they are looking for hard workers who take pride in their work.