Environmental Practise Degree Apprentice Review

On a day-to-day basis I support the general environment and sustainability services division and my local environment team with coordination roles and Environmental Impact Assessments. I also have the opportunity to branch out into the specialist areas and experience what they do on a day-to-day basis to help shape my career pathway.

I feel like my time management has improved massively since beginning this apprenticeship. It's so important to have an organised calendar and to-do task lists in order to ensure you are aware of your availability and also any deadlines. I feel it's also key as we are studying alongside full-time work, therefore colleagues appreciate it much more when you give them advance notice of university dates and any coursework deadlines.

I have been a part of this programme for two years and I am personally so happy that I picked this career path, I feel it is so valuable to have the hands on experience of office life and it has also really supported me throughout my coursework. I now feel that what I learn at university has purpose as I am able to relate it to challenges or tasks I have been faced with within the workplace.

I feel the structure of the course has improved over the last year, it is now accredited by IEMA and also has changed to an integrated course, shortening the length to a 5 year period, which I think will be more attractive for apprentices in the future. I feel that because we have university/coursework all year round I am used to the pattern of having both coursework and a workload at the same time so have adapted to this style of work. We have been given a time table for what modules we have until we finish and have started to receive university dates a year in advance which allows us to plan both our workload and personal lives (annual leave etc.).

I cannot praise Mott MacDonald enough for the support that I have received throughout this programme so far. My colleagues in the environment team at the Birmingham office and also nationally have been so supportive in ensuring I have had a wide range of different experiences, but also so willing to have discussions with me about coursework topics and areas in which I am interested in.

This has improved significantly over the past year, we requested for a pre-university block meeting which has now taken place before most of our modules so that we can start to understand the amount of engagement we need from the workplace and also the task so that we can plan our workloads. As it is a new course there are obviously still some areas of improvement but the university have been really keen to obtain our feedback but also action it as soon as possible.

I personally think the modules are really well tailored to support me throughout my role in the workplace. I really like how they try to ensure our coursework always links back to the workplace which encourages discussions with different colleagues in different sectors which I may not have crossed paths with otherwise, and enables us as apprentices to really grow out network.

This is one of the main things I love about the work environment at Mott MacDonald. Every month the Birmingham office has a sports and social event which always has high attendance rates. We have an annual sports day in which all the offices congregate in one city and enjoy the weekend getting to make new connections and have fun! There is also opportunity to attend team away days, apprentice days, early careers professional days, alongside other networking events.

Yes

The environment and culture of the company creates such a lovely atmosphere to work within, the company puts wellbeing first and really encourages people to speak out and reach out if they need any support. I feel that I have really benefitted from this experience so far and I am less than half my way through.

So stereotypical but be yourself, Mott MacDonald encourage diversity and individuality, and want you to enjoy your job. If you feel like the company suits you and aligns with your personal values then make this evident. Also ensure that you speak up and ask any questions you have no matter how silly they sound, as these could be important in determining whether this pathway is right for you. Also do you research, learn about the companies PRIDE values and the types of projects they undertake. But mostly, don't stress, everybody is so friendly and really want you to feel comfortable.