Apprentice Civil Engineer Review

I come into the office in Derby and draught wire clearance diagrams and insulator sets for towers. I interact with the team I work with continuously through the day, and interact with other colleagues outside my team in a social manner. External to the company I have interacted with suppliers to get deliverables for projects. I work on a whole range of projects but the most notable is Hinkley Point Connection.

I have been put on many training courses in order to professionally develop myself. These include Leadership development, drive safe course, site safety etc. I have also been on a few residential courses which includes Setting Out for Engineers and a week in the Lake District for the Balfour Beatty Apprenticeship Challenge. In the course of the apprenticeship I have developed my professional skills and seen a drastic increase in my confidence. I have learnt how to interact with people professionally and how to be more confident in myself.

I really enjoy coming to work and the work I do. It is interesting and makes the days fly by. The team I work with are inclusive and I enjoy chatting to them throughout the day. They are also very helpful and never complain when I ask lots and lots of questions. It has exceeded my expectations as I didn't think I would have been given this much trust and responsibility. I genuinely do have a good time.

The induction I received when first arriving was thorough. I have been met with continuous training and development opportunities throughout the two years I have been at Balfour Beatty. I receive all the support I need, I have a good relationship with my team and line manager, and I also have a mentor and a uni mentor - so there is a good support system around me. I get study leave before my exams, and am given a few hours a week to do uni work. I have a meeting with my uni mentor every 3 months, he is great and very supportive , you can see that he genuinely cares about my well being.

My manager is very supportive for my needs when I need them. There are no issues when I have doctors appointments or need to leave work early. The mentor I have given to me by the university is fantastic, I could tell him anything in confidence and know he will sort it out for me. I have plenty of people I can ask when I need help and guidance. There is a positive attitude with all the people I work with to help support me.

Again the mentor provided by the uni is great. Tutors seem a little bit unaware that we have full time jobs too and don't really appreciate that work will take a lot longer to complete. Also, the days are super long and its killer. But they are all friendly and happy to help with any problems that we may have. I enjoy the people I have met at uni.

I have seen a correlation to what we learn at uni and work. Its nice to see them line up and makes things at work make more sense. Everything is a little bit easier when you have the basics covered at uni, and you can develop them at work. Also, having the job makes uni a lot easier, especially when using CAD and bits like that, because you already have the experience.

I have been to a couple of company parties (christmas dos etc). They are good fun and good for networking. On the residential courses I have been on , my colleagues and I will hang out after the course has finished in the evenings. I also have a volunteering day lined up with my team at a local dog shelter. I have also signed up for a football charity event with BB.

Yes

I think the apprenticeship is definitely worth while, it is good to get a degree and work at the same time. Balfour Beatty have such a good training programme and are set on making you the best you can be. They are supportive with everything you do and always make sure you are okay. I am proud to say I work for Balfour Beatty.

Make sure your application is specific to engineering, Don't submit a general CV, it needs to relate to the apprenticeship you are applying for. My interview wasn't as stressful as I thought it would be, so just be prepared and relax! Make sure you are ready for lots of hard work and learning, its all worth it in the end!