Apprentice Civil Engineer Review

My role is an apprentice civil engineer. This means that I get involved in the engineering aspect of many projects. My day-to-day role changes depending on what placement I am in, but it currently involves solving problems that we are facing on a few of our projects, which includes looking at health and safety, as well as the practical side of getting the project completed in time.

I have developed my communication skills as I have to talk to many stakeholders in my scheme. I have also improved my skills with computer aided design and other computer applications. The main skill that I have developed is probably my analytical thinking. In my role I have to think about the best ways to do things and this can be challenging.

I really enjoy my programme. I am very supported which means that I am able to request certain work if I think that it will benefit me, thus allowing me to tailor the experience to my own needs and wants. I find the challenges that I am faced with enjoyable to solve, and rewarding to complete. I also have access to many site visits and extra presentations and talks, all of which are engaging, enjoyable, and informative.

My programme is very well structured. I have a separate line manager, sponsor, mentor, and scheme advisor who are all available to help when I need it. Everyone that I work under is aware of my position and needs, and this means that the scheme provides what I need from it. I have regular reviews to ensure that I am progressing and everything is well scheduled and documented.

I receive as little or as much support as I require. They are not in my face all the time checking in on me, which I thought would be the case when I started, but they are always there if I need them and are always willing to help me. My only complaint would be that there are a few people in my support network who are not as engaged with me as I would like, but I feel that I am able to raise this with others in that network should it become a problem.

I receive a lot of support. Although I do not use them as much as I could, I have been assigned a tutor at university who is one of my lecturers, and I am able to go to them if ever I need help with my course. This year the university has been great. they have supplied all the help that we could ever ask for and have gone above and beyond to ensure that our learning is not negatively impacted by the current work from home guidance.

I have been taught a lot at university which I have been able to apply to my role at work. I have had CAD training, health and safety modules, and structures lectures among others. I have been able to apply all of these to my work, and I can see how the other modules may be helpful to me in the future. Without this learning, I would not be able to carry out all the tasks in my job that I do.

My work has lots of extra activities that I can get involved with. Even through the work from home period, I have able to attend virtual station tours, presentations, and visits from industry professionals. I have also been able to attend social events which have been organised by the company. Another thing that I have been able to do is create and present a presentation on a topic that interests me to a group of engineers. Here at TfL there is a big emphasis on bettering us as employees, and I really do feel that there is plenty more that I could get involved in if I choose.

Yes

TfL is a great place to work. They are very supportive of their apprentices, and there is always interesting work or activities to get involved in. The salary is competitive for a role at this level, and getting paid to work and get a degree was a no brainer for me. I would recommend TfL for the opportunities it presents, and its all round great ethics and standards.

Be yourself, but be the best version of yourself. Do not be afraid of bigging yourself up (as long as it is true), as the process is very competitive. Make sure you show them the very best of you. I would give this advice all the way through the process. At the interview stage and assessment day, make sure you are yourself, as this is the version of you that people are going to be working with. Act professionally of course, but show that you are someone who will be enjoyable to work with. I would advise this all the way through the onboarding process too. Get involved in as many activities as possible, and try to network with people from an early stage, as it will help you further on. And if you do get that far, remember that that they took you on because they see potential in you, and you are worthy of that place!