Digital Civil engineering apprentice Review

by Costain

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

7.9/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

I am part of Building information modelling (BIM) Team at the Tideway Tunnel project. This means that I provide drawings and Models for the engineers and the teams working on site. This can include anything from method drawings to 4D sequencing.

8/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

I have learnt incredibly much about construction and all the steps involved throughout a project and the different people involved, which I was absolutely clueless about when first starting my apprenticeship. I have also learnt from scratch to use softwares such as AECOsim.

10/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

Most days I learn something new on my job as everyone on site and in the office is very helpful and keen to teach me when I don't understand something. Only sometimes my role gets repetitive.

7/10

4. How well organised/structured is your programme?

8/10

5. How much support do you receive from your employer?

There is a person of contact from the employer for the apprentices, who is very helpful and there to answer any questions, as well as the line manager.

8/10

6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

6/10

7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

A lot of the time I learn things on site first and things are explained to me there by an engineer. Only sometimes what I learn of university helps me understand something that I have seen on my job before in more depth.

7/10

8. Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)

Yes, there are many volunteering opportunities that the Tideway project provides that you can take part in and also rowing Teams.

9/10

9a. Would you recommend Costain to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

Working for the company brings many benefits with it and allows you to work in the biggest and most exciting projects in the UK.

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Costain?

To me it seemed most important that you show your passion for the construction industry and your willingness to learn and develop your understanding, even if your prior knowledge is limited.