Civil Engineering Apprentice Review

As a Civil Engineering Apprentice, each day my role revolves around site and office work. In the office my primary role is creating diaries, permits; contributing to task briefings and inputting tickets into a delivery tracker. On site I am setting out, surveying and corresponding with site supervisors.

I have learnt huge amounts about the construction industry from the site placement, and within college I expanded my technical knowledge surrounding structures, CAD, surveying and mathematics. My interpersonal communication skills have improved through interactions with various people on site and my capability to solve problems and adapt has benefitted.

The programme is definitely one of the best apprenticeship schemes, with bam every apprentice has the opportunity to connect with other apprentices from across the country, the college blocks allow for an immersive educational experience and the site placement propels your professional development and puts each apprentice in the best place to progress their career.

The programme is well co-ordinated and its structure aids the development of each apprentice. Individually I believe it runs smoothly, however within the apprenticeship sometimes there is a level of ambiguity surrounding dates. This prevents booking holidays in certain segments of the year. Some issues were caused in addition when apprentices didn't get informed of their site location until approaching the start date. But overall it is a smoothly run programme.

If anything is ever required within the scheme the staff can help provide any resources, or offer advice. However, there is a high level of independence and you need to be able to take personal responsibility for taking action to propel you forward within the scheme.

Leeds College of Building is brilliant, the staff are all highly qualified and they provide a great service. They have a wealth of knowledge due to their industry experience. If you are ever struggling with the academic work, they can provide you with the help required.

The academic scheme of work allows us as civil engineers to have the technical knowledge we require to provide information to those on the construction site. And have an understanding of what is going on and why it is happening.

Due to the number of apprentices, social events are organised regularly within the apprenticeship. However, on top of this Leeds College of Building provides many extra-curricular activities. I am on a large JV project and there are weekly extra-curricular activities which everybody gets involved in, such as football, rock climbing going to the cinema and various other things.

Yes

It is an amazing experience participating in this apprenticeship scheme. I am extremely proud to be able to work for bam, they give us as apprentices every opportunity of professional development, site experience and academic qualifications.

Express your passion, experience and why you should be hired. Make sure to research bam as a company and understand the courses at hand. Prepare well for the interviews and just make sure to express yourself as an individual.