Trainee Design Technician Review

My role involves managing different aspects of design, making sure drawings and documentation progresses and resolving any design issues with the project. I have to have an overview of knowledge in order to help out with all aspects of the building and I also have to speak with sub-contractors to make sure the design is developing as planned.

I have learnt many skills whilst in my apprenticeship. The key skills I have gained would probably be confidence, communication and to be able to use my initiative. All three skills are crucial in my role, and being exposed to new situations has enabled me to build and develop them.

I enjoy my programme as I believe being immersed into the workplace has developed me as a person significantly. I have been supported by colleagues and members of the apprenticeship team to be the best I can be in my role and I enjoy learning both in the workplace and at university.

My programme is structured well and is outlined to us from the very beginning. We have 2 modules per year to help support what stage we are at with our apprenticeship. These help as it is an opportunity to raise concerns and learn more. I think the 5 years is spaced out appropriately, to give me time to absorb new knowledge and understand my role completely.

I receive a lot of support from my employer, whether this be directly at work by senior colleagues or by members of the apprenticeship team. They are always willing to listen to my concerns and help me develop in the best way possible. The modules set up by my employer have helped me gain further experience as being an apprentice and how best I can push myself to reach my goals.

I have a reasonable amount of support from my training provider. My university provides monitoring of our progress with lectures, coursework and exams and there are reviews with both my training provider and line manager every 6 months to raise any issues and talk through my progress, so I am able to ask for support if necessary.

My qualification helps me a lot with my role as it helps me to understand the fundamentals of construction which are always discussed in my day to day role. It is better having an understanding of the different aspects of construction as a whole which helps me to recognise these elements at my project.

At my project, some of the colleagues have arranged a weekly sports activity in the local gymnasium. The courts are hired out for an hour after work so we can socialise and get together in a different environment. I have attended a few of these sessions, it is also a good opportunity to build more work place relationships.

Yes

Laing O'Rourke have been very good at introducing me to the world of construction. They are also very good at highlighting key issues in the workplace in relation to women's equality which is very important to me. LOR create a comfortable environment for working and push me to work towards my career goals.

I would say that the best thing to do when applying to Laing O'Rourke is to keep your options open. As I was a school leaver I wasn't entirely sure whether construction and design was the area I wanted to go into, luckily it was however I had many options that I could explore to find the correct function and job role I was interested in.