Building Services Design Engineer Apprentice Review

I assist senior engineers in the design process in order to gain a detailed working knowledge of all parts of the industry. My tasks include: -Calculations on computer based software -General sizing calculations -CAD drawings -Site visits & surveys On a daily basis I communicate with other members of my team and my mentor/ line manager. Externally I interact with clients, manufactures and architects on a regular basis discussing their needs (clients), new products (manufactures) and design options (architects). My responsibilities are to develop an understanding of appropriate legislation, standards, building regulations and codes of practice. As well as complete/ meeting project deadlines.

Yes! I am working towards my BEng (Hons) Design engineer apprenticeship. Whilst assisting with detailed design tasks and drawing production I have learnt and am continuing to learn to use software such as Auto CAD and Revit. I also regularly attend CPD's for manufactures that TB+A arrange and internal CPD's by Partners. I am also set to attend a training day by CIBSE early this year. Skills I've learnt/ improved include: - Teamworking - Communicating (via email & verbally) - Time management - Public speaking/ presenting

My team at TB+A have been very helpful since I joined. I've had regular 1-1 training with software such as Revit with members of my team which has been great in showing me the basics. The company culture at TB+A has been fantastic for example on day one, during our induction the Managing Partner took time to speak to us and welcome us to TB+A - this was a very welcome change for me coming from a previous company where the higher management did even speak to the apprentices. Along with this all of the HR team have been extremely helpful and I think its great have so many other apprentices working alongside you in various roles and you never feel silly asking a question as everybody is learning too. I had already heard good things about TB+A before join from other people within the industry and my expectations of them were exceeded.

My induction was very thorough even with it being via Teams/ virtually. I have been assigned a mentor and a line manager who has already attended a review meeting with myself and LSBU. As previously said my training is well structured. I have been given additional time to study when needed and supported. TB+A have a very good system in place to help apprentices, such as competitions on a regular basis to encourage teamwork. They also have various 'routes' as to how you can progress that is easily accessed via the Edge.

I have no doubt that TB+A are proactively looking to support meet even with this being more challenging with the current situation with working from home, but the support from TB+A is great and getting answers to questions from my line manager and the HR team is very easy and fast. They even have a L&D training wheel where you can see options and asks for additional support on any of the many items.

London South Bank University (LSBU) are my training provider and I attend lectures once a week here (via teams currently). Whilst most of the lectures are good, their support is lacking I would say as I have only met my personal tutor once and this was because I requested it. The response time from them is also very slow and even though they do this every year everything always seems very unorganised. Therefore I feel LSBU's support could be improved.

My progression with my qualification does give me a better understand of all parts of the industry whilst performing my work role and I do notice what I am learning in class does occur on a day-to-day basis with certain lecturers being very useful. However, I feel that there is possibly to much theory and whilst you do need an understanding of certain elements, possibly to much detail is given and makes it harder to understand.

Yes. Again despite much of this not happening at the moment. I have been made aware of a regular football game between my team and events for the apprentices that are again mostly having to take a 'backseat' at the moment but are going ahead where possible. There is also a voluntary scheme within TB+A and this is something I may look to do in the future. When we are back in the office properly these events will begin to take place again.

Yes

I would recommend TB+A because I think the fact that they have so many apprentices creates a great atmosphere and shows how forward thinking they are for the future of the company - with many of the Partners having been apprentices themselves. This also inspires you to do the same as you can see it as an achievable goal. Also, they have lots of resources in place to assist you and progress you in your career.

-Just to be honest with them - in my interview I didn't feel I had to pretend (like 'talk myself up' to get the position). I just told them where I was at with my progression in the industry. -Get involved with everything - TB+A make this easy with a competition for apprentices which gets you speaking to other apprentices within the company. -Don't worry about asking for help - I have not come across anyone at TB+A that I couldn't ask for help from.