Civil Engineer Apprentice Review

I am a site engineer, so my role involves looking at design drawings and setting out data provided by the designer, and showing the subcontractor how to build it with setting out. It also involves monitoring progress on site and preparing documents based on quality and health and safety. I work with a team of engineers on my project.

I have learnt a number of different skills. Predominantly in setting out and using different technology such as a total station, rotating laser, automatic level and gps. I have also learned many new computing skills such as the use of AutoCAD and the extended use of excel that can be used for my role.

I do enjoy the programme, however I feel as though the working hours are large and the contract says that Balfour Beatty can dictate if I need to work more than my contracted hours. There has also been poor communication between Kingston University and Balfour Beatty, with my first tripartite review happening 3 and a half years in.

I think seperately the programmes work well, Kingston University are well programmed and Balfour Beatty within my project have supported me well. However after the first year or so, I noticed that there has been much less communication from Balfour Beatty regarding my actual apprenticeship, it has been few and far between.

I have received good support in my actual project from my line manager and others on the project. But that is more down to those people rather than Balfour Beatty. I haven't been appointed a DA and have to reach out regularly for things to assist with my apprenticeship

Kingston has supported me fairly well. The website and online facilities are good for assisting with the learning, and lecturers are good at answering questions, however the university has been poor in communicating with Balfour Beatty. The university however has good checks towards some elements of my apprenticeship which helps.

I feel as though my qualification and my work go hand in hand, as what I earn in uni can help me understand whats going on at my work site better, and conversely what i learn at work can then make it easier to understand what I'm doing at uni.

Yes there have been at times some extra curricular activities, there have been especially when people leave or when it's around Christmas time or at the end of a project. Although generally there is not anything on a weekly or even monthly basis that the company promotes for its workers

Yes

Because they have supported me in providing the apprenticeship, and they area also a company that values health and safety, which could be a worry if someone wanted to work for a different company. I also think that there are good opportunities to progress within the industry which can be attractive.

I would suggest you ensure in your contract that you have a set working hours, as there is a culture of working late but this offers no financial rewards for doing this. I would also suggest you aim to find a framework that suits you long term so you aren't hopping around other jobs.